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A MANUAL 





OF 


SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST CHURCH 
PROCEDURE 


(REVISED) 


Cornpiled and Edited by 


WILLIAM LEWIS ’BURDICK, D.D. 


President, Seventh Day Baptist General Conference (1918-1919); Cor- 
responding Secretary, Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society; 
Member, Committee on Denominational History of Seventh Day 
Baptist General Conference: Chairman, Advisory Committee of 
Seventh Day Baptist Historical Society; Member, American So- 
ciety of Church Htstory; Member, American Historical Society. 
Author of the following Seventh Day Baptist Histories: First 
Seventh Day Baptist Church of Hopkinton, Rhode Island; Seventh 
Day Baptist Education Society; Seventh Day Baptist Eastern As- 
sociation; Seventh Day Baptist Western Association. 


» And 
CORLISS FITZ ‘RANDOLPH, GHD: LED: 


President, Seventh Davy Baptist Historical Society; President, Amer- 
ican Sabbath Tract Society (Seventh Day Baptist); Chairman, 
Committee on Denominational History of Seventh Day Baptist 
General Conference. Editor, Seventh Day Baptist Year Book. Mem- 
ber: Baptist Historical Society (England); Congregational Historical 
Society (England); American Soctetv of Church History; New Jer- 
sey Historical Society; American Historical Society; Archaelogical 
Institute of America; National Institute of Social Sciences; Amer- 
ican Academy of Social and Political Science; Authors’ Club (Lon- 
don); Société Academique D’Historique Internationdle (Paris), Au- 
thor of following Histories: Seventh Day Baptists in West Virginia; 
Seventh Day Baptist South-Eastern Association; German Seventh Day 
Baptists; The Rogerines. 


Published For The 


SEVENTH DAY Sine dee) diag Oa CONFERENCE 
y The 
AMERICAN SABBATH TRACT SOCIETY 
(Seventh Day Baptist) 
PLAINFIELD, N. J. 


1926 


Copyright, 1926 
by 
William Lewis Burdick 
and 
Corliss Fitz Randolph 


Preface to Revised Edition 


The need of such a manual as this is well 
attested by the fact that the first edition was out 
of print in less than a year after publication; and 
the editors take the opportunity afforded by a 
second edition to correct a few minor errors, 
and to extend the treatment of the duties of dea- 
cons, as well as that of parliamentary law, and to 
introduce certain details of description of the man- 
ner of administering baptism, and serving the 
communion, with brief paragraphs on the Sol- 
emnization of Matrimony, and of the Burial of 
the Dead. 

The editors desire to make clear, beyond the 
peradventure of a doubt, that the entire subject 
matter of this Manual is historical—that it is in 
short, Seventh Day Baptist history. Indeed, 
there is no book in existence, to the knowledge 
of the editors, devoted to the history of the 
ecclesiastical manners and customs of Seventh 
Day Baptists, during the three centuries of their 
existence as a separate denomination of English- 
speaking Christians, other than this Manual; and 
the editors have sought, with the most exacting 
and scrupulous care, to introduce nothing into 
either the first edition or this that is not either of 
their own personal knowledge, or adequately 
attested by duly accredited records. 


(3) 


4 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


The editors hereby express their thanks for 
criticisms and suggestions offered—all of which 
have been given careful consideration in the 
preparation of this revised edition. 

WILLIAM Lewis BuRDICK, 
CorLiss Fitz RANDOLPH, 
Editorial Committee. 


May 1, 1926. 


Preface to First Edition 


The need of a manual setting forth the forms 
of procedure commonly followed by Seventh Day 
Baptist churches has long been recognized. At 
its annual session, held in Nortonville, Kansas, in 
August, 1918, the General Conference instructed 
its Commission to have prepared a manual on 
the manner of ordaining, deposing, and reinstat- 
ing ministers. That was all that was originally 
contemplated. 

At the first subsequent meeting of the Com- 
mission, held in the following December, a com- 
mittee was appointed to undertake this task. But, 
although work was soon begun, a series of events 
conspired to delay its completion. Meanwhile the 
scope of the project was extended from time to 
time until it finally embraced so much that the 
committee felt constrained to make the manual as 
complete as possible for all ordinary church uses; 
and this has been done, even to the extent of 
including a brief treatment of parliamentary 
practice. 

However, no effort has been made to produce 
an exhaustive treatise; for numerous other sub- 
jects might easily have been included, and those 
which have been introduced might have been 
treated much more extensively, It has been the 
aim of the committee to treat only those topics 
that are most likely to arise in the usual routine 
of church procedure, and to make the treatment 

(5) 


6 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


as simple and brief as possible, but sufficiently 
comprehensive to be complete, however brief. 

The numerous delays in the progress of the 
work have given time for research, study, and 
consultation that would not have been otherwise 
possible. Throughout the entire period, the two 
members of the committee have been in frequent 
consultation; and, immediately preceding finally 
going to press, they spent several days in careful 
consultation, reviewing the entire manuscript. 

The committee approached their work with 
open minds, and with no preconceived ideas 
except faithfully to follow Seventh Day Baptist 
precedent. In short, the task of the committee 
resolved itself into searching out and codifying | 
the practice of Seventh Day Baptist churches 
since the earliest beginnings of their parent 
church, the Mill Yard Church, of London, 
England. 

A widely varied personal experience and obser- 
vation on the part of each of the members of 
the committee for some forty years and more, 
and a close study of Seventh Day Baptist history 
by both for thirty years established a fair working 
basis for a beginning. Before the close of tne 
work, a careful reéxamination of printed and 
other documentary sources has been made of 
every phase of the results submitted. 

In so far as possible, the committee has sought 
to buttress its conclusions by the practice of other 
denominations whose church government is con- 


PREFACE 7 


gregational, like that of Seventh Day Baptists; 
and have been gratified to find that they all have 
so much in common. ‘The Baptist procedure has 
been consulted more than that of any other 
denomination besides Seventh Day Baptists, but 
that of the Congregationalists has also been 
worthy of note. Citations from both have been 
introduced where they have seemed to illuminate 
and add force to Seventh Day Baptist practice. 

In brief, it has not been the purpose of the 
committee to set forth their personal views as to 
the church, its organization, its membership, its 
government, its discipline, its ministry, its sacra- 
ments, its covenants, its beliefs, its constitutions, 
or its rules of order; but rather to state as clearly 
as possible the practice of Seventh Day Baptist 
churches. In so doing, they have kept constantly 
before them the three hundred years of Seventh 
Day Baptist history and the struggles of Seventh 
Day Baptist churches during all this time, along 
with those of the Baptists and Congregationalists, 
for religious liberty and for democracy in the 
church; and the committee has been no less mind- 
ful of the development of, and the changes in, 
the forms and practices of the churches during 
all these centuries. 

WILLIAM Lewis BurRDICcK, 
Cortiss Fitz RANDOLPH, 
Committee. 


December 10, 1922. 


Preface to Revised Edition.:........ 3 
Preface to First Editionace eee 5 
I A Christian’ Church) 3h sae orto 9 
If, Organizing: a Church ss. fa secpece ee Il 
III. Church Independence and Mutual 
Codperations:.. 2) ay a ae 2Y 
IV >Churech’ Membership eacge pce ee 24 
V. Covenant’ and’ Expose of aithea ae 39 
VI.-Communtion setyices) 2 ee ee 45 
VIT. Baptisms: cc ih ots sete ee 48 
VIII. Solemnization of Matrimony......... 50 
TX. Burial of: the Dead: 2. eet ee 51 
Xe Constitutions fase Le ae See iy 
XI. Rules for the Transaction of Business. . 57 
XII. The Ministry of the Church. 7) jane SI 
XIII. Ordination and Recognition.......... 96 
XIV. Church “Disciplines 52) 0)24 tne 107 


(3) 


Contents 





Indexiie uP Ae ne I17 


Chapter I. 


A CHRISTIAN CHURCH 


There is need that we keep before us what 
constitutes an organization as a Christian church. 


A Christian church may and should be defined 


from different standpoints: 


(a) As to its head, it is an organization centering 
around Christ, the revelation, manifestation, and per- 
sonation of God the Father, as its supreme and ador- 
able Lord, Master, Saviour, Guide, Helper, and Friend. 

(b) As to the character of its members, it is made 
up of regenerate baptized believers who are trying to 
live Christ-like lives and adorn their characters with 
the graces of Christ. 

(c) As to its laws and government, it knows no 
laws save the laws of Christ as found in the Bible and 
no government above itself save Christ. 

(d) As to its mission, its aim is to lead sinning 
men, of both high and low degree, to Christ and to 
lives of righteousness in Christ, to help one another 
live Godly lives, to better every condition in the world, 
and above all to make Christ and his blessed will 
supreme over all. 

(e) And as to the sacraments ordained by Christ, 
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, it is the organization 
to which Christ, in love, committed these expressive, 
impressive, precious, and sacred ordinances. 


Not a reform association, however good; 
nor a fraternity, however brotherly; nor a Chris- 


(9) 


10 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


tian Association, however active, is a Christian 
church, for none of them meets the New TJesta- 
ment idea of a church. 

Furthermore, an organization calling itself a 
church may cease to be one because it fails to 
put first things—Christ and the redemption of 
men—first; or, worse, because it becomes worldly 
and selfish. 

‘When a company of people are contemplating 
organizing a church it is well that they consider 
whether it is a Christian church or something else 
they have in mind. Furthermore, it is well that 
a church already organized test itself occasionally 
to determine whether its works and spirit entitle 
it to be called a Christian church. 

In this connection, it is not out of place that 
we call to mind that the term ‘“‘church”’ is some- 
times used as referring to the Redeemed of all 
lands, ages, and worlds; but in this MANUAL we 
have reference to the local, visible organization 
centering about Christ as all in all, and to the 
organization,—to which Christ committed the 
sacraments,—composed of regenerate baptized 
believers, seeking to help one another, to lead all 
men to Christ, and to produce a universal brother- 
hood completely good. 


Chapter II. 


ORGANIZING A CHURCH 
PRELIMINARY MEETING 


When there seems to be a sufficient number of 
Sabbath-keeping Christians in a community to 
constitute a church, a meeting to consider the 
question should be called by some one interested 
in effecting such an organization; or two or more 
persons may join in calling the meeting. Only 
those intending to enter the church if organized 
should be invited unless there be members of 
other Seventh Day Baptist churches who may be 
present to advise. 

Upon the assembling of the meeting some one 
who has been instrumental in calling it should 
call the meeting to order and ask that a chairman 
be elected. When the chairman has been selected 
by the vote of those present, a clerk should be 
chosen. ‘The clerk should record and carefully 
preserve for future record all actions of the 
meeting. 

Careful Consideration 


A chairman and clerk being chosen the meet- 
ing is ready to take up the question of founding 
a church. This question should be very carefully 
and prayerfully considered. A church should not 
be organized unless there is a reasonable number 

(11) 


12 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


of Sabbath-keepers ready to enter the proposed 
organization; nor should one be organized where 
there is not promise of perpetuity and growth. 


Possible Decisions 


There are four conclusions such a meeting may 
reach. They are as follows: 


(a) It may decide that it is not wise to found a 
church under existing circumstances. . 

(b) The meeting may decide to proceed with the 
organization of a church. 

(c) The meeting may, as has often been the case 
in the past, think wise to form a branch church (a 
church that is a part of some other church of like faith 
and practice), and see what the developments are 
before founding an independent church. This plan has 
proven its wisdom in many cases.* 

(d) The meeting may favour the organization of a 
church, but think it wise to call a council to advise and 
assist. This appears to be the course usually followed ; 
and, unless there is good reason for doing otherwise, 
it is a safe course to pursue. 


If it is decided that it is not desirable to organ- 
ize a church, the meeting is dissolved without 
further action. 


PROCEDURE WITHOUT A COUNCIL 


If, however, the meeting decides that it is wise 
to organize a church, a resolution should be 
adopted stating that the Sabbath-keeping Chris- 


*Such a relation existed, for example, between the First 
Alfred, N. Y., and the Berlin, N. Y., Churches in the early 
days of the history of the former. 


ORGANIZING A CHURCH 13 


tians in (here insert name of town or community) 
believe the time has come to organize a church 
to be known as the Seventh Day Baptist Church 
of (here insert the proposed name of the church), 
and that they proceed to organize one. A com- 
mittee to prepare a Covenant, Constitution, and 
Statement of Beliefs (Expose of Faith) should 
be appointed. A Committee on Credentials 
should also be appointed to secure a list of names 
of those desiring to join the proposed church 
and to instruct all such to have, so far as possible, 
their credentials in readiness for a subsequent 
meeting. [hese things being accomplished the 
meeting should adjourn to a day far enough in the 
future to give the committees opportunity to do 
their work. In the meantime, those wishing to 
join the new church and belonging to other 
churches should secure letters of recommendation 
and dismissal to join the new church; those be- 
longing to churches of other denominations should 
secure letters of standing where possible; and if 
there are candidates for baptism desiring to join, 
arrangements for their baptism, either before, or 
in connection with, the next meeting, should be 
made. 


Organization Meeting 
When the meeting reassembles and a chairman 


and clerk have been selected, a Covenant, Con- 
stitution, and Statement of Beliefs* should be 


*See Chapter V. 


14 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


presented by the committee appointed for this 
purpose and adopted with such amendments as 
those intending to join the church shall deem wise. 
The Committee on Credentials should report a 
list of those whom they judge to be proper can- 
didates. Those holding acceptable letters of 
recommendation and dismissal from _ other 
churches of like faith and practice should be 
received by virtue of these credenttals; those who 
have been members of other churches, Seventh 
Day Baptist or otherwise, but for good reasons 
are unable to present any written credentials, 
should be received upon an acceptable statement 
of their Christian experience and baptism; and 
those recently baptized should be received upon 
an acceptable confession of faith and of baptism. 


Branch Church 


If the meeting of Sabbath-keeping Christians 
decide it is best to organize themselves as a 
branch of some other church, they may proceed 
as in the organization of an independent church, 
described above, and when the organization is 
completed ask some church of like faith to receive 
them as a branch. It might be better, as has 
sometimes been done, for them to ask the church 
of which they wish to become a branch to lead in 
the organization. It is expected that a branch 
_church will in time grow sufficiently to become an 
independent church; in the meantime it receives 
the fostering care of the older and stronger body 


ORGANIZING A CHURCH 15 


of disciples. It should direct its own affairs and 
keep its own records, receiving such help and 
advice as may be needed from the church of which 
it is a part. 


PROCEDURE WITH A COUNCIL 


If the meeting look with favour upon the found- 
ing of a church but desire the advice and help of 
Seventh Day Baptist churches, a council may be 
called. The procedure in this case would be for 
the meeting to vote to call a council of Seventh 
Day Baptist churches in that section, fix the date 
for the meeting of the council and appoint a com- 
mittee to send out the invitations. ‘The follow- 
ing is a form of invitation: 


Hope Valley, N. J., Oct. 15, 1923. 
Shiloh Seventh Day Baptist Church, 
Shiloh, N. J. 
Dear BRETHREN: 

The Sabbath-keeping Christians of Hope Valley, 
N. J., are contemplating organizing themselves into a 
Seventh Day Baptist church and are asking for a 
council to advise and assist them. You are requested 
to send your pastor, deacons, and other delegates to 
meet with delegates from other churches in Hope 
Valley, N. J., at 10 o’clock, November 20, 1923. 

BuRDICK CRANDALL, 
Chairman, 


Before the meeting of the council, those desir- 
ing to enter the proposed church should secure 
their church letters so far as possible and make 


16 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


all necessary arrangements for the meeting of 
the council. It is well to have a committee 
appointed for this purpose. 

When the council meets, the clerk of the pre- 
vious meeting should call the council to order, 
read the action requesting a council and state its 
purpose, ask for a list of delegates with their 
credentials, and call for the election of a chair- 
man, who, when elected, shall take the chair and 
see that a clerk is chosen. 

The council thus organized passes upon the 
credentials of its members, and then proceeds to 
the consideration of the question of founding a 
church and finally expresses its decision in the 
form of a vote taken, or resolution passed. 

If the council decides to organize a church, it 
proceeds to do so by calling for a list of those 
desiring to enter the proposed church with their 
credentials. It may be advisable for the council 
to appoint a Committee on Credentials and wait 
for its investigation and reports. Each candidate 
should be passed on separately. When this is 
done, a Covenant, Constitution, and Statement of 
Beliefs should be presented to those who have 
entered the new organization for their adoption. 
The newly formed church is then ready to elect 
its oficers and begin its life and work. 

The proceedings of this meeting together with 
those of all the preliminary meetings should be 
recorded in the record book of the church. 

When the immersed Sabbath-keepers have 


ORGANIZING A CHURCH 17 


formed themselves into a church, they should 
complete the organization by electing ofhicers and 
establishing public worship on the Sabbath, 
prayer meetings, Bible Schools, and all needful 
church appointments. 


BECOMING A MEMBER OF AN ASSOCIATION AND 
OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE 


When a Seventh Day Baptist church is organ- 
ized, it is customary for it to connect itself with 
the General Conference and the Association in 
whose territory the church is located. 

The Seventh Day Baptist General Conference 
is composed of all the churches of like faith and 
practice in the United States and elsewhere in the 
world, and its purpose is to unite them all for 
mutual help and for the accomplishment of the 
ends for which they exist, while the Associations 
include Seventh Day Baptist churches of a given 
section so situated that they may all meet at least 
annually for mutual encouragement. 

Neither an Association nor the General Con- 
ference has any authority over a church. All that 
either assumes to do, or has power to do, is to 
advise. 

The method of becoming a member of the 
General Conference and an Association is prac- 
tically the same in each case. The church desir- 
ing membership should present a written appli- 
cation for membership, together with its Covenant 


18 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


and its Articles of Faith. If these are found 
acceptable, the church is received into the larger 
body upon vote of the latter. 

While neither the General Conference nor an 
Association has any authority over a church, a 
church may be excluded from either, upon vote, 
and for reasons sufficient and satisfactory to the 
larger body. It is fitting that a church should be 
dropped from either the General Conference or 
an Association, or both, if it cease to be in con- 
formity with the other component churches as to 
belief and practice. A church may withdraw 
from the General Conference, or from the Asso- 
ciation to which it belongs. 


DISBANDING A CHURCH 


When it becomes apparent that a church has 
accomplished its mission, or that for any reason 
it can no longer maintain its existence, it should 
take steps to dispose of its property and disband; 
otherwise it will merely drift out of existence, its 
property go into disinterested or unworthy hands, 
and bring disgrace upon the cause it represents. 
There should be as much care and order taken 
in dissolving a church as in forming one. The 
question as to the wisdom of continuing or dis- 
banding should not be thoughtlessly decided; nor 
should it be allowed to be settled through indo- 
lence and procrastination. In some cases a council 
to help decide the question may well be called. 

When it is decided that it is no longer wise to 


ORGANIZING A CHURCH 19 


maintain a church, the first step is to vote to 
‘disband after the property is disposed of and 
other matters settled.”’ 


Disposal of Property 

The trustees should then be instructed to settle 
all business matters and dispose of the property 
according to the wishes of the church, and the 
church should maintain at least a legal existence 
till this is done. All churches should have care- 
ful inquiry made as to their legal status in the 
states in which they are respectively situated, and 
especially with reference to property of extinct 
churches. 

Letters to Members 

When the business affairs are settled, the 
church should pass a resolution instructing the 
clerk to grant letters of recommendation to all 
members in good standing. The trustees having 
settled the financial affairs and the members hay- 
ing been given letters of recommendation by the 
clerk, the work of disbanding may be considered 
completed in a creditable manner. But it is not 
creditable to let a church drift out of existence 
and permit its property and members to go 
wherever they may. 


Disposal of Records 


Before a church disbands it should take proper 
action for the safe keeping and disposal of its 
records. They are very valuable as _ historical 
documents and it is a serious mistake to disre- 


20 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUVAL 


gard them, and allow them to be destroyed or 
lost. Now that the Seventh Day Baptist Histor- 
ical Society has been founded, the most natural 
disposition to make of church records is to place 
them in its hands for preservation. 


Final Action 


When all business has been duly transacted, 
the final vote should be that “the Seventh Day 
Baptist Church of Hope Valley, N. J., do now 
disband.” 


Chapter III. 


CHURCH INDEPENDENCE AND 
MUTUAL CO-OPERATION 


It is evident that in New Testament days the 
baptized believers in a community constituted a 
church and that each church was independent of 
every other organization, civil and religious, as 
to the management of its own affairs. ‘Io this 
policy Seventh Day Baptist churches have always 
held. Doubtless there have been _ individual 
Seventh Day Baptists who were inclined to a 
Presbyterian or Episcopal form of polity, but 
Seventh Day Baptists as a body have strenuously 
- insisted that Christ was their sole head, their 
Lord and Master; and have guardedly refused 
to bow to any other authority or allow it to 
hamper them. ‘They have insisted that for any 
earthly power to dictate to a church of Christ is 
for that power to usurp the place of Christ; and 
that the freedom of a church should be limited 
only by the rights of the individual, and by the 
laws of civil governments when not contradictory 
to the laws of Christ. 

They have gone farther than this, and inter- 
preted the New Testament as teaching the free- 
dom of the individual to approach God through 
Christ directly, to interpret the Scriptures for 
himself, to formulate his own beliefs, and to 

(21) 


22 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


worship God according to the dictates of his own 
conscience. Seventh Day Baptists have no creedal 
statements to which their members must adhere, 
and their covenants are most simple. A very 
wide range of beliefs prevails among them. The 
Bible with its Christ, faith and repentance, for- 
giveness of sins, baptism by immersion, the Sab- 
bath of Christ, Godly living, the fatherhood of 
God, and the brotherhood of all men, is the only 
creed they recognize. | 
This independence of church and individual 
does not prevent cooperation in work that belongs 
to them all—missions, Bible study, evangelism, 
publication of literature, and education. At an 
early day, 1684, they established the “yearly” 
and “‘general’’ meetings for worship and consul- 
tation. Out of these grew the General Confer- 
ence and the Associations. During the last cen- 
tury they found means of effective codperation in 
education through the Seventh Day Baptist 
Education Society; in publication and Sabbath 
reform through the American Sabbath Tract 
Society; in Bible study through the Sabbath School 
Board of the General Conference; in enlisting 
the women in denominational work through the 
Woman’s Board of the General Conference; and 
in missions, evangelism, and all that pertains 
to missions, through the Seventh Day Baptist 
Missionary Society. This New Testament inde- 
pendence doubtless has its weaknesses, like all 
things human; but it also has its strength, as 


CHURCH INDEPENDENCE AND CO-OPERATION 23 


demonstrated in the history of Seventh Day Bap- 
tists, and of all Baptists. There is no warrant in 
the New Testament, and no need in practical 
experience, for a central power to give instruc- 
tions to the local churches and to individual 
disciples; there are ways besides commands based 
on authority by which great achievements may be 
brought about. ‘God loves the cheerful giver,” 
and he does not want things done because some 
human authority has commanded them. “If ye 
love me, keep my commandments.” 

The trend of human institutions, civil and 
ecclesiastical, justifies our Saviour in establishing 
an order in which every individual in His king- 
dom is a priest unto God, and the local church a 
democracy; none subject to any one save Christ 


himself. 


Chapter IV. 


CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 


The question as to who may become members 
of a church is one that is under constant discus- 
sion. According to the New Testament there 
are four indispensable pre-requisites; namely, 
regeneration, confession of purpose to follow 
Christ, Baptism, and Christian living. 


REGENERATION 


That one should have a change of heart before 
being admitted to the body of the holy Christ, the 
church, is taught very plainly in the New Testa- 
ment. Any tendency to admit individuals without 
sufficient evidence of regeneration is to be deplored 
and should not be tolerated. “Come ye out from 
among them and be ye separate,” is the New 
Testament admonition. 

This is not saying that every one must have 
an experience like Paul’s on the Damascene way, 
or like that of any one else. Neither can it be 
maintained that every one who has met a change 
of heart will remember the time when it took 
place; the change may come gradually like the 
dawn of the morning light, or suddenly like the 
bursting of the sun from behind a fast flying 
cloud. It may come in the first hours of self- 
consciousness when the soul is tender and respon- 


sive to the touch of God and man, or any time 
(24) 


CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 25 


thereafter till the flame of life has burned out; 
but before any one is qualified to become a mem- 
ber of the body of Christ, he should have 
experienced a religious awakening wherein he 
has chosen to follow Christ and His righteous- 
ness. [his was the class of members received on 
the day of Pentecost, and throughout New Testa- 
ment history; and Seventh Day Baptists have 
always maintained that a regenerate heart is one 
of the indispensable conditions for membership 


in the church of Christ. 
A PUBLIC PROFESSION 


It is fitting and consistent with the teachings of 
the New Testament that one desiring to unite in 
fellowship with Christ’s disciples should make a 
public profession of his faith in Christ as his 
Saviour, and of his determination to follow Him 
throughout the remainder of his life. If one 
does not make a public profession of such faith, 
how is the church to know that he is endeavour- 
ing to follow Christ, and that he desires to come 
into church fellowship? One needs to make a 
public profession of his stand for Christ for his 
own strengthening; it commits him to, and estab- 
lishes him in, his new faith as only few things can. 
Also, one needs to make a public profession of 
Christ for the sake of others. One of the chief 
means ordained of God to Christianize the world 
is proclaiming to the world on the part of Christ’s 
disciples what He has done for them. It is well 


26 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


that candidates for church membership tell the 
pastor, deacons, or prudential (or advisory) 
committee their experiences; but they should also 
come before the church and speak for themselves. 
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteous- 
ness; and with the mouth confession is made unto 
salvation.” ‘There may be cases where candidates 
may not be able to come into the public congrega- 
tion and make a public avowal of their decision; 
but in all such cases they should be received with- 
out it, if otherwise acceptable. However, other 
things being equal, when one is not willing to 
confess his Lord and Master who died for him, 
there is reason to question his sincerity and fitness 
for church fellowship, ‘‘For whosoever shall be 
ashamed of me and my words, of him shall the 
Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his 
own glory.” 


BAPTISM 


Baptism is a public confession of faith in 
Christ, his death, and resurrection; and the 
avowal of the candidate’s putting away of sin, and 
of his purpose to lead a Christian life; it puts 
a seal upon his vows and promises to follow 
Christ; and it was instituted and ordained by the 
Master himself as a special form of public 
profession of such faith and vows. The New 
Testament order was marked out on the day of 
Pentecost; they repented, they were baptized, and 
they joined the church. Christ indicated the same 


CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 27 


order when he said, “‘He that believeth and is 
baptized shall be saved.”’ 

People have often desired church fellowship 
without baptism, but Seventh Day Baptists have 
uniformly followed the New Testament order, 
maintaining that one who was not willing to 
follow his Lord in baptism had not yet committed 
himself to full obedience. 


A LIFE IN HARMONY WITH CHRIST’S EXAMPLE 
AND TEACHING 


There is no New Testament sanction for ask- 
ing one who has penitently turned to Christ to 
wait a certain length of time before baptism and 
church membership, or, in other words, to put 
him on probation; but, in most cases, a few days 
elapse between one’s public profession and his 
reception into the church upon baptism. It may 
be only a few days, but the conduct of those days, 
be they few or many, should give evidence of sin- 
cerity of intention and steadfastness of purpose, 
or church fellowship should not be granted. Dr. 
Edward T. Hiscox well says on this point, ‘Those 
pastors make a grave mistake and are grievously 
at fault who hurry persons into the church with- 
out giving the body a fair and full opportunity 
of gaining evidence of their regenerate state. 
. . . . Lhe church may seem prosperous, because 
baptisms frequently occur; but the moral strength 
of the church is weakened, rather, and disorder 
introduced where order should prevail.” 


28 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


It is better, however, to err in admitting 
doubtful cases, than in shutting out one sincere, 
struggling, tempted, and tried soul. 


THE SABBATH 


In this connection, it should be noted that while 
cooperating in Christian activities and all good 
works with those who do not observe the Sabbath 
of the Bible, Seventh Day Baptists receive into 
membership only those Baptists who keep the 
Sabbath of Christ and the Apostles. In doing 
this, they have always treated with utmost cour- 
tesy those who do not agree with them in belief 
and practice, and they have always endeavoured 
to serve all individuals and all worthy community 
interests; but they hold that Sabbath observance 
is essential to Christian living and object to the 
substitution of a man-made day for the Bible 
Sabbath in the same way that they object to any 
substitution for baptism by immersion. 


MODE OF RECEPTION 


Seventh Day Baptist churches receive members 
only upon the vote of the church at some regular, 
or specially called, meeting; and it is a written 
rule in some churches that “no member shall be 
hastily received into the church to the grief of 
any member thereof.” Some churches provide a 
board or committee before whom candidates for 
membership appear prior to admission, and upon 
whose recommendation they are received. If no 


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CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 29 


such committee is provided, a wise pastor will 
make it a rule to consult his deacons before pre- 
senting candidates for membership. Whatever 
may be done in these ways to safeguard the 
church, however, the final and decisive action is 
the vote of the church. 

When we turn to the details there are three 
modes of receiving members, depending upon the 
candidate. ‘he three modes are (1) By Baptism, 
(2) By Letter, and (3) Upon Experience. 


Reception by Baptism 


If a candidate has not been immersed it is the 
usual custom for him to come before the church, 
make a statement of his Christian experience, and 
request baptism and church membership. A can- 
didate is sometimes admitted to baptism by the 
pastor before he presents him to any church or 
any committee on candidates. ‘There is nothing 
illogical about this, much less unscriptural, and 
there are situations where this course is preferable. 

If there is a committee for the purpose, the 
pastor brings the candidate for membership be- 
fore the committee either before or after baptism. 
The committee, after hearing the candidate’s 
experience and request for membership, passes 
upon the latter and recommends him for fellow- 
ship in the church if deemed fit. ‘The candidate 
is then presented to the church, before which he 
states his experience and to which he makes his 
request, and the church votes on the question of 


30 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


his reception. If he has been immersed, the 
question to be voted upon is that he be received 
into fellowship; but if he has not been immersed, 
it is that he be admitted to church membership 
upon immersion. 

It is customary that the pastor lead in these 
matters, but it should not be left to him alone; 
every member should be on the watch for those 
ready for baptism and church membership; he 
should do more than this, he should constantly 
seek to lead men to that state of mind and heart 
wherein they are ready for, and want, baptism 
and fellowship with the followers of Christ. 


Reception by Letter 


A member of another church of like faith and 
practice may come into the church by a letter of 
recommendation and dismissal from the church 
of which he isa member. The candidate presents 
his letter and request for membership to the 
pastor, who presents the matter to the church for 
consideration. If a committee on candidates 
exists, the letter and request are presented in turn, 
to that committee for consideration and recom- 
mendation prior to being presented to the church. 
It is not customary, however, for the candidate to 
give his experience before either the committee 
or church, his letter of recommendation being 
accepted as sufficient evidence regarding his 
Christian experience. 

It is understood that the piitel} receiving a 


CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 31 


member by letter shall notify the church from 
which he came when he is received. ‘This is a 
practice which knows no exception except in case 
of gross negligence. A blank form of letter of 
recommendation to which is attached a blank 
form of notice that the member has joined an- 
other church may be obtained from the publishing 
house of the American Sabbath Tract Society in 
Plainfield, N. J. 

The following form of a letter of dismissal 
was adopted by the General Conference, at its 
annual session, at North Loup, Nebraska, August, 
1923, upon the recommendation of a committee 
which had had the question under serious con- 
sideration for a year. 


LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION AND 
DISMISSAL 


SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST CHURCH 
OF HOPE VALLEY, N. J. 


August 31, 1922. 
This is to Certify, That Burpick GREENE is a 
member in full and regular standing of the SEVENTH 
Day Baptist CHuRCH OF Hope VALLEY, N. J., and 
as such is recommended for membership in any other 
church of like faith and order. 
Davis CRANDALL, 
Church Clerk. 


The individual to whom this letter is issued will be 
regarded as a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church 
of Hope Valley, N. J., subject to its rules of government, 
until due notice is received by the clerk of that church of 
the reception of the former into some other church. 

N. B.—The accompanying blank will be detached by the 
clerk of the church to which this letter is presented, and 
filled out and forwarded to the clerk of the Seventh Day 
Baptist Church of Hope Valley, N. J. 


32 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


LETTER OF NOTIFICATION 


September 23, 1922. 
To The Clerk of The Seventh Day Baptist Church of 
Hope Valley, N. J.: 
This is to Certify, That on 1 September 22 eIGZES 
BuRDICK GREENE 
i received into full and regular standing as a member 
of the 
JEFFERSON CENTRE, WIS. 


Seventh Day Baptist Church. 
(Signed) Stirtman Davis, 
Clerk of the Jefferson Centre, W1s., Church. 


After the foregoing has been filled out, please for- 
ward to Davis Crandall, 
Hope Valley, N. J. 


Note: A facsimile form is inserted here showing a con- 
venient form in which letters of dismissal may be printed 
and bound into book-form. It will be observed that this 
form is provided with a stub, somewhat like a check book, 
on which may very conveniently be entered all the infor- 
mation necessary when the letter is issued, and when 
notice is received that the individual has joined another 
church. These blanks (printed with the name of the church 
issuing them, if desired) may be obtained in book-form 
from the American Sabbath Tract Society, Plainfield, N. J. 


Reception by Experience 


A Sabbath-keeping Christian who has been 
immersed sometime in the past, but for some 
reason has lost his membership or who has never 
been a member of a church, may be received upon 
experience. If there is no committee on candi- 
dates, he gives his Christian experience to the 
church and requests membership; thereupon the 
church passes upon the question of his admission. 
If there is a committee on candidates, he first 


CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 33 


presents his request and gives his experience to 
it, which in turn recommends him to the church if 
deemed worthy. The church upon hearing this 
request and Christian experience, pass upon the 
question of his admission in the light of the 
recommendation of the committee. 


THE RIGHT-HAND OF FELLOWSHIP AND THE 
LAYING ON OF HANDS 


In some churches members coming for the first 
time into church fellowship are received by the 
laying on of hands and extending the right-hand 
of fellowship; while in some other churches the 
right-hand of fellowship is extended to all mem- 
bers upon their reception. These forms, though 
impressive and helpful, are not deemed essential 
to church membership, and an immersed believer 
who has been voted into the church, is a member, 
entitled to all the privileges of a member, with- 
out the laying on of hands and without the right- 
hand of fellowship. 


RECEPTION WHEN ABSENT 
It is customary for a candidate to attend the 
session at which he is voted into the church; but 
this is not essential, and is not required when there 
is a sufficient reason for his absence. 


DISMISSAL 


In the past, Seventh Day Baptist churches have 
recognized only three methods of dismissa' ; 


namely, (1) By Letter, (2) By Death, and (3) 


34 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


By Exclusion. But in recent years, there is a 
growing practice of dropping the names of those 
whose residence can not be obtained; and some 
churches drop the names of members who 
urgently request it. 


Dismissal by Letter 


When a person wishes to be dismissed by letter 
he should make application in writing. It is the 
rule in some churches that the clerk may grant 
letters to those requesting them if they are in 
good standing; but in most cases it is customary 
that such requests come before the church and be 
passed upon by it before the clerk issues the letter 
of dismissal. 


Death 


When a member passes away, the clerk should 
mark his name on the church roll with a star (*) 
to denote his decease, carefully recording the 
date of his departure to the church triumphant. 
This is due both the church and the departed; due 
the church that those no longer living be not 
counted, and due the departed that at least a 
minute of his death be made. 


Excommunication 


Excommunication is not so common a mode of 
dismissal now as in former days; but when it 
takes place, the excluded one, of course, ceases to 
be a member. 


CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 35 


Dropping Names 


The practice of dropping names has much to 
commend it under certain circumstances, and 
doubtless will be used much more often in days 
to come than in the past. It is coming to be the 
course resorted to in dealing with those of whom 
the church can find no trace and those who have 
become dissatisfied and insist on being released. 
When a person persistently insists on withdraw- 
ing from the church and all entreaties on the part 
of his brethren are unavailing, perhaps it is better 
to grant his request and drop his name than to 
continue the irritation caused by holding him in 
nominal fellowship; but such request should not 
_ be granted till every resource has been exhausted 
to remove the dissatisfaction, and until the danger 
point has been reached. Furthermore it is better 
that the names of those whose whereabouts have 
long been unknown be dropped than that the 
church should hold and report names that are lost 
to the church and dead to the cause. Names 
that have been dropped should be placed in a list 
by themselves kept for that purpose; but should 
not be included in reports to the Association or to 
the General Conference, and if they should desire 
to retinite, they may be reinstated by vote of the 
church. 

For members whose whereabouts have long 
been unknown, the action may be about as follows: 


Whereas, Brother Ward Bliss has long absented 
himself from this church and its activities, and his 


36 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


whereabouts at the present time are unknown, there- 
fore, 

ResotveD, That Brother Bliss’s name be dropped 
from the roll of active members of this church, and 
placed on its inactive roll instead, in the hope that he 
may yet return to his former position of activity in 
the church. 


For members who have stated that they are no 
longer in sympathy with the faith and practice of 
the church, the action may be as follows: 


Whereas, Brother Ward Bliss has expressed him- 
self as no longer in sympathy with the faith and prac- 
tice of this church, and requests that his name be 
dropped from the rolls of the church; therefore, 

REsoLveD, That Brother Bliss’s request be complied 
with, and that his name be dropped, and placed on the 
roll of inactive members of the church in the hope that 
he may yet return to full sympathy and accord with 
the church. 


REINSTATING 


An excluded member who has shown penitence 
for his offense and resumed a worthy Christian 
life may be reinstated upon his request, by the 
vote of the church. It is not considered Chris- 
tian courtesy for a church to receive one who has 
been excluded from a sister church till he has 
been reinstated, or till the church which excluded 
him has expressed its approval of the former 
member joining the other church except where it 
has been proven that the church was wrong in 
its act of exclusion. If a church has not had just 
reasons for its discipline or has in any way treated 


CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 37 


a member wrongfully, it should acknowledge its 
wrong and do everything possible to amend the 
injury done. | 


‘DUTIES OF MEMBERS 


It is the duty of every member to be true to his 
baptismal vows and promises and to all his cov- 
enant obligations; to abandon every form of sin 
and appearance of evil; to make his business and 
social practices conform to the rule and spirit of 
Christ; to lead a life of prayer and devotion; 
faithfully to study the Word of God that he may 
know how he should conduct his private and 
public life; to help maintain public worship and 
help to bear the financial burdens of the church 
and kingdom of God on earth; to exercise Chris- 
tian courtesy, charity, and forbearance toward all 
in spirit and conduct; and constantly to find, so 
far as possible, some definite work for Christ and 
the children of men. 


RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERS 


While it is the privilege of every regenerate 
person to enjoy the spiritual glow of sins for- 
given through Christ and the favour of God upon 
his daily walk, the sustaining strength of the 
Saviour for hourly needs, the satisfaction of an 
approving conscience, and the fellowship of godly 
people, it is the especial privilege of every mem- 
ber of the visible church to participate in its 
worship and all its social, business, and religious 


38 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


meetings; to hold such offices as his brethren from 
time to time shall assign him; freely to enter into 
the discussion of all questions coming before the 
church and to vote on all motions; to have a voice 
in the election of pastor, deacons, and other 
oficers; and to share equally with other members 
in determining the policies of the church, always 
bearing in mind that majority rule should prevail 
and “‘that God is no respecter of persons.” 


Chapter V. 


COVENANT AND EXPOSE OF FAITH 


COVENANT 


The covenants usually adopted by Seventh Day 
Baptist churches are very brief and simple, but 
comprehensive. Two forms are given below and 
are those adopted by two Seventh Day Baptist — 
churches, but every church decides for itself what 
its covenant shall be. 


Form 1 


COVENANT 


Art. 1. We agree to keep the commandments of 
God, and walk in the faith of Jesus Christ. 

Art. 2. To accept the Holy Scriptures as our rule 
of faith and practice. 

Art. 3. To watch over each other for good, to the 
intent that we may build up together in Christ, grow 
in grace and a further knowledge of truth, and be 
instrumental in bringing men to a saving knowledge 
of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

Art. 4. To faithfully attend the appointments, and 
bear the burdens and expenses of the church, accord- 
ing as God may give us severally the ability. 


Form 2 


COVENANT 
Having been, as we trust, brought by Divine grace 
into fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ as our 
Saviour from sin, we solemnly and joyfully covenant 
with one another: 
(39) 


40 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


To take the Bible as a “lamp to our feet and a light 
to our path,” giving special heed to the Law of God, 
as expounded by our Saviour in His Sermon on the 
Mount. 

To maintain the public worship of God, and the 
ordinances of His house. 

To exercise a Christian watchfulness over one an- 
other. 

To walk together in Christ whose we are and whom. 
we profess to serve, in brotherly love. 

To give, as a voluntary and cheerful offering to the 
Lord, and according to our ability, towards meeting the 
necessary expenses of the church, for the benefit of 
the poor, and for the advancement of Christ’s king- 
dom in the world. 

To try by precept and example, in all our family, 
social, and business relations, and everywhere, to main- 
tain a Godly walk and conversation, through obedience 
to the requirements of the gospel. 


EXPOSE OF FAITH 


For one hundred and sixty years after the 
organization of their first church in America, 
Seventh Day Baptists set forth no statement of 
their beliefs; they studiously avoided doing any- 
thing of the kind. They guarded their freedom 
of conscience so carefully that they would not lay 
down a statement of beliefs for anyone. If a 
man was penitent for his sins, accepted Christ as 
his Saviour and guide, was immersed in water, 
kept the Sabbath of Christ and took the Bible 
as his rule of faith, nothing more was asked of 
him. The way they felt about it is set forth by 
Fld. Henry Clark in his History of Seventh Day 


COVENANT AND. EXPOSE OF FAITH 4] 


Baptists in America, published in 1811. He says: 


“As this denomination universally hold the Bible to 
contain God’s holy will revealed to man, wherein are 
exhibited the object of faith and the rules of life; 
A GEES aa eee and as the Bible is explicit 
to direct in every station of life, the duty we owe to 
God, ourselves and our fellow-mortals—so they gen- 
erally esteem any prescription of man, in these latter 
ages of the world, as to rules of faith and morals, not 
only useless but nearly presumptuous. And notwith- 
standing they are harmoniously agreed in the impor- 
tant, fundamental and essential points of the Christian 
Religion; yet as to smaller matters and mere circum- 
stantial points there may be a great variety of senti- 
ments.” 


As new churches were formed there came to 
be an increasing demand for a statement of the 
beliefs of Seventh Day Baptists, not that it should 
be a yoke of bondage, but that it might show to 
the world the excellency of the Gospel as taught 
by them and be a guide to those desiring to found 
Seventh Day Baptist churches. Consequently at 
the annual session of the General Conference in 
1831 a committee was appointed to draft an 
expose of faith. The report of this committee 
was received and placed on file in 1833; and, two 
years later, it was adopted as substantially what 
Seventh Day Baptists believed. 

In 1852 the question of an exposé of faith was 
again considered in the General Conference and 
certain amendments were ordered to the exposé 


of 1833. 


42 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


Following this action, the General Conference 
passed a significant resolution of explanation, 
which says: 


“RESOLVED, That this exposé is not adopted as hav- 
ing any binding force in itself, but simply as an exhi- 
bition of the views held by the denomination.” 


In 1880, the General Conference adopted a 
new statement of beliefs as follows: 


I. OF GOD 


We believe in one God, self-existent, infinite in wis- 
dom, power, justice, and goodness; the Creator and 
Governor of all things. Deut. 33:27; Psa. 90:2; 
Isa. 44:6; I Tim. 1: 17. 


II. OF CHRIST 


We believe that Christ possessed both a divine and a 
human nature, and was therefore both the Son of God 
and the Son of Man. Matt. 1:1; Psa. 2:7; Luke 1: 
35; Rom. 1:3,4; Gal. 4:4; II Cor. 5:19; John 1:1. 


Ill, OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 


We believe in the Holy Spirit, whose office was to 
inspire the prophets and apostles, as the instructors of 
men, with a knowledge of the mind of God, and who 
is the regenerator and sanctifier of men through the 
truth. John 14:26; II Peter 1:21; Acts 2:4, 5; John 
SE ROM. OF 7G Oo BZ, 


IV. OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES 


We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New 
Testaments were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and. that 
they are a perfect rule of faith and practice. Heb. 
Lele dl (Peter 22203011 Tim 3216, 17 is Correa 
13. 


COVENANT AND EXPOSE OF FAITH 43 


V. OF MAN 


We believe that man possesses a two-fold nature— 
physical and spiritual; that he was created holy, but 
that by transgression he fell, and so came under con- 
demnation ; that in order to be saved he must be born 
again, and that this salvation is the gift of God. JJ 
Pore AOS ROM: 22 Eph 8 162 Gok? S10 se 7 
Peter 3:4; Gen. 1:26; 3:6-19; Rom. 5:12; John 3: 
3, 9,7; Epk. 2:5; Rom. 3:24, 25; 4:16; Eph. 2:8. 


VI. OF HEIRSHIP AND ETERNAL LIFE 
We believe when one is constituted a child of God, 
he becomes an heir of eternal life. <Acts.26:17, 18; 
Rom. 8: 14-18; Gal. 3:29; 4:7. 


VII. OF REPENTANCE, FAITH, AND BAPTISM 


We believe it to be the duty of all men to repent, 
- believe in Christ the Saviour, and to be _ baptized. 
Matt. 28:19; Luke 24:47; Acts 2: 38, 41; 8:12; 10: 
a7 Os ov 35 5, 16:03 uark.16::16:.hom. 6: 4°: Col: 
rage Wi ; 

VIII. OF THE LORD’S SUPPER 


We believe the Lord’s Supper an ordinance of 
religion, to be perpetuated in the church. Matt. 26: 
2674 Cor. 11 235-26. 


IX. OF THE SABBATH 


We believe the seventh day [of the week] to be the 
Sabbath of Jehovah, and that it should be kept holy 
as a memorial of creation and as a type of the saints’ 
rest in heaven. Gen. 2:2, 3; Exod. 20: 8-11; Heb. 4: 
1-11. 


X. OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, AND THE ETER- 
NAL JUDGMENT 

We believe there will be a resurrection of the dead, 

both of the just and the unjust; that the righteous will 


44 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


be everlastingly justified, and the wicked ‘everlastingly 
condemned. Dan. 12:2; Acts 24:15; 17:31; Matt. 
25:46; John 5:28, 29; Rom. 2:7; II Thess. 1:9, 10. 


XI. OF THE RESURRECTION-BODY OF THE SAINTS 


We believe the saints will be raised with spiritual, 
incorruptible bodies. J Cor. 15: 35-54. 


There have been various statements of what 
Seventh Day Baptists believe, by individuals, 
churches, and delegated bodies, such as the report 
of the Committee on the World’s Faith and 
Order Movement presented to the General Con- 
ference in 1917 and a resolution adopted by the 
General Conference at its annual session in 1886, 
declaring that it is the general belief of Seventh 
Day Baptists that Christ “will certainly come 
again’; and “‘that there will be a resurrection of 
the dead, both of the just and the unjust’; but 
none of them has any binding force over any 
church or individual, and none of them is satis- 
factory to every one. 

Seventh Day Baptists have no creed save the 
Bible, and no creedal test save a regenerate heart, 
Baptism, the Sabbath, and a Christian life. 


Chapter VI. 


COMMUNION SERVICE 


EMBLEMS 


The practice regarding emblems used in the 
communion service has varied somewhat, espe- 
cially in recent years. Formerly, fermented wine 
and unleavened bread both, only, were used. 
But more recently, conforming to the growing 
sentiment against the use of fermented wine as a 
beverage, the use of unfermented grape juice has 
grown in favour. ‘There seems to be no reason- 
able objection to the latter practice, as the un- 
fermented juice of the grape is none the less the 
‘fruit of the vine.” The Jews continue, how- 
ever, to use fermented wine in celebrating the 
Feast of the Passover, pursuant to the ancient 
Biblical custom. 

The use of leavened bread is a radical depart- 
ure from the Biblical custom, as well as from its 
spirit. Unleavened bread* may easily be pre- 








*Note.—The original Passover bread was doubtless made 
of coarse unbolted entire wheat flour just as it came from 
a primitive small hand mill on which it was ground, mixed 
hastily with no other ingredient than merely sufficient cold 
water to make a coarse thick dough which, in turn, was 
made into small thin cakes and quickly baked in hot ashes 
covered with red hot coals, after the fashion of the present 
day Bedouins of the Eastern deserts. Modern American 
Jews use what are called ‘“matzoths,’ made by commercial 
manufacturers for their Passover feast. 

One of our older churches, for generations, has used, and 
still uses, bread made similar in appearance to pie crust 
mixed quickly with sour cream (or sour milk with egg 


(Continued at bottom of Page 46) 
(45) 


46 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


pared, with a little experience; and there seems to 
be no good reason why it should not be used. 


Common vs. Individual Cups 


The ancient custom, continued until recent 
years, was to use one common cup for the entire 
congregation; and, with small congregations, 
there was little inconvenience. As congregations 
grew larger, however, two or more cups were 
used as a matter of convenience; until, in con- 
formity with modern sanitary laws, individual 
cups, of silver, aluminum, or glass, are now quite 
commonly used. There seems to be no reason- 
able objection to this more modern custom, and 
there is much to commend it. 

The care of the various utensils, including the 
linen belonging to the sacramental table, is usu- 
ally entrusted to one of the deacons who is like- 
wise made responsible for providing the emblems. 


Manner of Serving 


The deacons usually make the table ready for 
the communion service, first covering it with a 
suitable white linen cloth provided for the pur- 
pose. Upon the table is then placed the bread 
and wine with the utensils for serving them, and 





beaten into it). After the dough is rolled very thin and 
placed into pie tins, it is scored deeply with a sharp knife 
into small squares, convenient for breaking. It is kept 
cold as possible until it is put into the oven ready for 
baking. After baking, it is removed from the tin without 
breaking, if possible, and placed in this form on a suitable 
plate, or paten, on the communion table ready for breaking 
by the officiating clergyman. 


COMMUNION SERVICE 47 


the whole covered with another white linen cloth. 
At the appropriate moment of the service, a 
deacon uncovers the bread and the patens (or 
plates) for containing it. After the bread is 
served, a deacon replaces it with the wine, with 
the cup or cups, and carefully covers the remain- 
ing remnants of bread. 

In serving, the members of the congregation 
remain seated in their pews, while the emblems 
are served to them first. The minister or ministers 
are then served by one of the deacons, who then 
serves the other deacons. He, himself, is then 
served by the one whom he last serves. This is 
one of the forms used on such occasions; but 
there are other forms, variations of this. 


How Often Celebrated 


Probably the majority of our churches cele- 
brate the communion service once in two or three 
months in connection with the usual Sabbath 
morning service. The Mill Yard Church, of 
London, the original Seventh Day Baptist 
Church, celebrates it but once a year, at the time 
of the Passover, of the Jewish Church. In some 
Baptist, as well as other Protestant churches, it 
is celebrated every week. 


Chapter VII. 


BAPTISM 


Manner and Place 


Seventh Day Baptists, like all other Baptists, 
practice baptism by immersion, and recognize no 
other form, since that was the manner in which 
Jesus, the Christ, was baptized. Baptism may be 
made in a flowing stream, or lake, or other suit- 
able natural or artificial body of water. The 
modern practice, especially in city churches, of 
providing a baptistry in the church itself is much 
in use, and is convenient. Our oldest church, the 
Mill Yard Church, of London, has on occasion, 
resorted to a pool in a public bath. 


Baptismal Robes 


Conforming to St. Paul’s injunction that ‘All 
things be done decently and in order,” several of 
our churches have provided black, loose-fitting 
robes for the minister and the candidates, both 
men and women (white robes are occasionally 
used for girls), to wear during the baptismal 
ceremony. ‘These robes, suitably weighted at the 
bottom to prevent their floating on the water, 
reach well down to the feet; and thus, even when 
wet, any objectionable display of body or limbs 
is avoided. It would be well if this custom were 


followed in all our churches. A deacon or dea- 
(48) 


BAPTISM 49 


coness may be made responsible for the care of 
these robes ad interim. 


Baptismal Formula 


After the candidate is led into the water, the 
officiating minister usually says, in effect, ‘Upon 
profession of your faith in Christ as your Saviour, 
and in obedience to the divine command to teach 
and baptize all nations, I baptize you ‘In the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost,’”’ whereupon he immerses the can- 
didate backward, once. 


Chapter VIII. 


SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY 


There has never been any duly recognized 
form, or custom, followed by Seventh Day Bap- 
tists for the solemnization of matrimony, except 
to comply with the law of the state in which the 
ceremony occurs, and to conform, as far as reas- 
onably practicable, to the wishes of the contract- 
ing parties. Some ministers have made forms 
of their own, adapting them to individual condi- 
tions. Others use manuals for this purpose, pub- 
lished by other denominations. A fairly accept- 
able manual of the latter class is that entitled 
Wedding Manual—A Pastor’s Handbook. Com- 
piled and edited by Gerard B. F. Hallack, D. D. 
Published by F. M. Barton, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Others, published by other publishers, may be 
found more satisfactory. While this is regarded 
as a holy solemn service, it is not a sacrament of 


the church. 


(50) 


Chapter [X. 


BURIAL OF THE DEAD 


Like that of the solemnization of matrimony, 
the custom of Seventh Day Baptists in the service 
for the burial of the dead has never been uniform. 
Those in charge of such services have adapted 
themselves to individual conditions, as they have 
found them. The more recent tendency has been 
to simplify this service, however; and here, again, 
some ministers use manuals published by other 
churches. 

The following named manual is commended 
to the attention of Seventh Day Baptist ministers: 
The Burial of the Dead. By Dufheld. Published 
by Funk and Wagnalls, New York City. 


(51) 


Chapter X. 


CONSTITUTION 


The following is a form for a church constitu- 
tion. It is similar to the constitutions of most 
Seventh Day Baptist churches, but the constitu- 
tions of no two churches are alike in every 
respect; and this, if followed, should be modified 
to suit the needs of each congregation using it. 


Article 1. Name 


The corporate name of this church shall be the 
Seventh Day Baptist Church of Hope Valley, N. J. 


Article 2. Membership 


Any person may become a member of the church 
by a majority vote of the existing members, after giv- 
ing evidence of regeneration and faith in Christ, and 
being immersed in water, in the name of the Father, 
Son, and Holy Spirit, and observing the Sabbath of 
the Lord which is the seventh day of the week, and 
no person shall be hastily received into the church to 
the grief of any member thereof. 


Article 3. Government 
The government of this church shall be vested in the 
members, ten (or any other number desired) of whom 
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of busi- 
ness, 


Article 4. Officers 


The officers of the church shall consist of a pastor, 
two or more deacons, one or more deaconesses (when 
(52) 


CONSTITUTION 53 


deemed best), a president, clerk, treasurer, auditor, 
three trustees, and such other officers as may be thought 
necessary by the church. 


Article 5. Election of Officers 


Sec. 1. The pastor, elders, deacons, and deaconesses 
(if any), shall be elected thereafter at such times and 
in such manner as the church may direct. 

Sec. 2. Trusiees. The first trustees shall be elected 
for terms of one, two, and three years, one trustee 
for each of these respective terms; and their succes- 
sors shall each be elected for a term of three years, 
so that one trustee shall be elected each year at the 
annual business meeting of the church. Vacancies 
occurring by death or otherwise shall be filled at the 
first regular church meeting, or at such time as the 
church may direct. 

Voters for Trustees. The members of this church 
of full age, and every other person of full age who 
during the preceding year has been a regular paying 
subscriber for the support of the church, shall be 
voters for, and eligible to, the office of trustee. 

Sec. 3. Other Officers. ‘The other officers shall be 
elected by the church at the annual meeting or at such 
time and in such manner as the church may direct, and 
shall hold office for one year or until their successors 
are elected. All officers except those mentioned in Sec- 
tion 1 of this Article, shall take office on January Ist, 
after the annual meeting. 

Sec. 4. Unless otherwise ordered by the church, all 
elections shall be by ballot, and a majority of the quali- 
fied voters present shall be necessary to make a choice. 


Article 6. Duties of Officers and of the Church Advtis- 
ory Board 

Sec. 1. Pastor, deacons, deaconesses, and Advisory 

Board. A pastor, by the election of the church, sus- 


54 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


tains a relation to it indicated by such New Testament 
titles as preacher, teacher, bishop (or overseer), elder, 
minister, shepherd; and it shall be his duty to have 
general supervision of all the spiritual interests of the 
church. As a spiritual leader he shall be at the service 
of the whole community, 

The deacons shalji arrange for, and assist in, admin- 
istering the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s 
Supper ; they shall minister as may be found necessary 
to the sick and needy in the community; and shall 
otherwise aid the pastor in maintaining the appoint- 
ments and sustaining the work of the church. 

The deaconesses shall assist in looking after the poor 
and sick, and cooperate with the pastor, elders, and 
deacons, especially where woman’s ministrations are 
most fitting and most needed. 

The pastor, deacons, and deaconesses shall constitute 
the Church Advisory Board of which the pastor shall 
be president e.-officio. Applications for baptism and 
church-membership shall come before this board, first, 
and then before the church as a whole. As occasion 
may require, this board shall be a puipit supply com- 
mittee. In general, it shall take the lead in all efforts 
that are calculated to promote the purity, unity, 
strength, and usefulness of the church. 

The pastor or any three members may call a meeting 
of the board, and five (or any other number desired) 
members shall constitute a quorum. The board shall 
make quarterly and annual reports to the church. 


Sec. 2. Duties of the Trustees. The trustees shall 
organize by electing their own chairman and secretary 
whose duties shall be the same as those of such officers 
in similar bodies. 

They shall hold in trust all property belonging to 
the church, transact its legal business subject to the 
direction of the church, and its financial business when 


CONSTITUTION 55 


so instructed by the church, and shall report to the 
church quarterly. A majority of the trustees shall 
constitute a quorum. 

Sec. 3. The duties of the president, vice-president, 
and clerk shall be the same as those of such officers in 
similar bodies. 

Sec. 4. The treasurer shall be the custodian of the 
funds of the church and shall pay them out only 
by vote of the church. 

Sec. 5. The auditor shall audit the quarterly and 
annual reports of the treasurer, comparing them with 
the books and vouchers and the budget and other 
approved appropriations. He shall not be a trustee. 


Article 7. Duties of Members 


It shall be the duty of members of this church to 
bear equally, according to their ability, the necessary 
expenses of the church, also to attend when practicable, 
all the meetings, and especially the Sabbath meetings, 
of its appointment, with punctuality, and diligently to 
attend meetings for the transaction of business. 


Article 8. Meetings 


The church shall hold quarterly business meetings 
on the second First-day of the week in March, June, 
September, and December, at which meetings the pas- 
tor, advisory board, clerk, treasurer, auditor, and trus- 
tees shall report. The annual meeting for the election 
of officers, the hearing of their reports (the reports 
for the fourth quarter being merged in the annual 
report) and the transaction of other business shall be 
held on the second First-day of the week in December 
each year at two o’clock in the afternoon, unless other- 
wise ordered by vote of the church, and the fiscal year 
shall begin on the first day of December. Said meet- 
ings shall be duly announced in the Sabbath morning 


56 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


service two consecutive Sabbaths immediately preced- 
ing. Other business meetings may be called by the 
president of the church on request of the trustees, or 
the advisory board, or five church members. 


Article 9. Communion Service 


Communion service shall be held quarterly on the 
Sabbath immediately preceding the quarterly and an- 
nual business meetings, unless otherwise ordered by 
the church. Covenant meetings shall be held the day 
preceding the communion service. 


Article 10. Amendments 


This constitution may be amended at any quarterly 
meeting by vote of two-thirds of the members present, 
provided that the proposed amendment shall have been 
presented in writing at a previous quarterly meeting, 
and provided that two notices shall have been given 
of such proposed amendment in connection with the 
regular notice of the meeting. 


Chapter XI. 


RULES FOR THE TRANSACTION OF 
BUSINESS 


NOT A COMPLETE TREATISE 


In this brief digest it is not the purpose to go 
into the minute details of rules for the transaction 
of business in churches, but to give briefly and in 
simple language those needed in an ordinary busi- 
ness meeting. Anyone desiring a more extensive 
treatise is referred to manuals on parliamentary 
practice, such as the following: William E. 
Barton, Rules of Order for Eccelesiastical 
Assemblies, 1910; and The Law of Congrega- 
tional Usage, 1915. ‘Theodore G. Soares, A 
Baptist Manual, 1911, quoted largely from Bar- 
ton’s earlier work. Barton’s books are the best 
published for churches with a congregational form 
of government, such as that of Baptists, and of 
Seventh Day Baptists; and all pastors are urged 
to study them. A brief, simple code of parlia- 
mentary law is to be found in Robert’s Rules of 
Order,* or Cushing’s Manual; these are primar- 
ily intended for secular assemblies. 


A CODE OF RULES NEEDED 


It is agreed that the business of a church should 
be transacted in an orderly manner; and that, 


*Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised for Deliberative Assem- 
blies, 1912. Published by Scott, Forseman & Co., Chicago 
and New York. 


(57) 


58 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


while protecting the rights of the minority, it 
should voice the mind of the majority. “To accom- 
plish this end in deliberative assemblies, a code 
of rules has long been in existence, modified with 
the changing customs of the centuries. In con- 
densed form, this code will be found in either of 
the manuals named in the preceding paragraph. 


MAY MAKE ITS OWN CODE 


Any church has the right to make its own 
code of rules for the transaction of its business 
as well as for its conduct in all matters; but in 
the absence of such a code it is incumbent upon 
the church to follow the rules that have come to 
be generally accepted for such purposes. In this 
connection, it is well to remember that the rules 
followed in well conducted churches vary slightly 
from those used in other organizations. Or, to 
state it in the language of another: “It needs to 
be recognized that religious bodies have been 
building up for themselves a body of precedents 
that have come to the status of standing laws for 
their own government.’—BARTON. 


RULES OF ORDER SHOULD NOT BE UNREASONABLY 
PRESSED 


In the transaction of church business, rules of 
order should not be unreasonably pressed; they 
should not be insisted upon to the embarrassment 
of those not familiar with rules and forms. 
Barton well says, “‘Parliamentary law is not a 


RULES OF BUSINESS 59 


series of arbitrary rules imposed upon assemblies 
by the mandate of an external authority, but is 
the mere application of common sense, experi- 
ence, and courtesy to the requirements of deliber- 
ative assemblies. Rules change, but these three 
abide, and by these all rules stand or fall and 
the greatest of these is courtesy.” 


THE PURPOSE OF RULES 

It should be kept in mind that the purpose of 
parliamentary rules is not to tie the hands of the 
assembly (the church), or to give one person or 
class of persons any advantage over any other; 
but to aid the church to expedite its business, and 
to give all an equal opportunity for a full share 
in its transaction. 


ORGANIZING A MEETING 

Ordinarily a church meeting has its officers 
appointed before it assembles. Sometimes this 
is not true, or the presiding oficer may not be 
present. In such cases, when the members have 
assembled, the clerk or the next officer in rank, 
calls the meeting to order, asks that a presiding 
oficer pro tempore be elected, and presides till 
this is accomplished. If all the officers are absent 
or none have been elected, some one especially 
interested calls the meeting to order, states the 
situation, asks that a chairman be elected, and 
presides till this is done. ‘The chairman then sees 
that a clerk and such other officers as are needed 
are chosen. 


60 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


The laws of some states make the pastor the 
legal chairman of all meetings of the church un- 
less someone else is elected by the church. Most 
pastors prefer that someone else preside except 
when business is transacted at a religious service. 
In any case, care should be taken to comply with 
the laws of the state in transacting the business 
of the church. 


THE VOTE, HOW TAKEN, WHEN CARRIED, MAKING 
UNANIMOUS 

When a meeting is ready to vote on a question, 
there are three ways, aside from balloting, by 
which the vote may be taken: It may be taken 
viva voce (“by the living voice’’), as when the 
chairman asks those in favour of the question to 
say ‘‘Aye,” and after this is done, asks those 
opposed to say ‘“‘No,” and finally announces the 
result by saying, ‘“The motion is carried,” or “The 
motion is lost,” as the case may be. 

Or the vote may be taken by the “show of 
hands,” as when the chairman asks those in favour 
of the motion to manifest it by the uplifted hand, 
and when he has counted the hands raised for the 
affirmative, asks those opposed to manifest it by 
the uplifted hand, announcing the motion as car- 
ried or lost according to the vote. 

Or the vote may be taken by the “rising vote,” 
as when the chairman asks those in favour to 
rise, and follows this expression by the request 


RULES OF BUSINESS 61 


that those opposed arise, declaring the motion 
carried or lost according to the vote. 

Voting by the “show of hands” is more often 
used than the other forms in the meetings of a 
church, and the “rising vote’ is seldom resorted 
to except when the chairman is in doubt as to the 
result and asks for the “rising vote’ that he may 
count the number voting on each side the more 
accurately, or when it is asked for to make the 
vote the more expressive. These three forms, to 
distinguish them from balloting, are spoken of as 
voting by acclamation. 

A fourth form of voting is by the “written 
ballot,” and is much used in elections. When this 
method is resorted to, convenient ballots should 
be provided and tellers appointed to pass and 
collect the ballots and assist the clerk in count- 
ing them when collected. ‘The ballots all being in 
and counted, the presiding officer calls upon the 
clerk to read the result. When electing officers 
or committees by ballot, there may be nomina- 
tions or there may not be. Often an “informal 
ballot” is taken to determine whom the members 
have in mind for a given office. Because one has 
not been nominated does not prevent ballots being 
cast for one. 

In the regular election of officers, the usual 
rule is that they be elected by ballot. It is cus- 
tomary, however, when the members have only 
one candidate in mind to avoid the formality of a 
ballot by voting “‘that the clerk cast the unani- 


¢ 


62 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


mous ballot in favour of” the candidate named, 
whereupon the clerk prepares and casts one ballot 
for the candidate. ‘The chairman now declares 
the candidate elected. [his custom should be 
used cautiously. 

There may be more than one nomination when 
electing by acclamation, in which case the vote 
is taken on the names in the order in which the 
nominations were made. If the first nominee 
receives a majority of the votes, he is declared 
elected, and there is no occasion for voting on the 
other nominations; but if he fails to receive a 
majority,—i. e., more votes against than for him, 
—the other names are voted on in order till one 
does receive a majority. 

In case of election by acclamation a ballot may 
be called for by any member and, usually, the 
request should not be denied. 

It often happens after the vote is taken that 
the church wishes to make the vote unanimous. 
All have expressed themselves in the vote, the 
wish of the majority has been clearly expressed, 
and the minority now desire to make the action 
unanimous. ‘This can be done by some one in 
the minority moving to make the vote unanimous. 
One vote against this motion defeats it; and, 
furthermore, if the minority simply let such a 
vote pass by neglecting to vote, it can not be said 
to be unanimous. 

A majority vote carries any ordinary motion 
unless there is some rule previously adopted to 


RULES OF BUSINESS 63 


the contrary. A special rule, however, naming 
certain motions requiring more than a majority 
for their passage is seldom adopted by a church 
except in regard to amendments to its constitu- 
tion. 

What is known as voting by ‘Yeas and Nays” 
in the parliamentary procedure of legislative 
assemblies, political conventions, and some other 
deliberative bodies, though legal in churches, has 
no practical place in the transaction of their bus- 
iness. 

The result of the vote, by whatsoever form 
'taken, should be announced by the presiding 
officer as soon as it is known. Until the result of 
- the vote is announced, any member may change 
his vote if he so desires. If the presiding officer 
permits debate or remarks on the question be- 
tween taking the vote and announcing its result, 
the vote should be taken again. 


QUORUM 


Churches usually fix the number necessary to 
constitute a quorum. A quorum having been 
present at the opening of the meeting, it is sup- 
posed to continue to be present until adjournment, 
unless some one raises the question of a quorum; 
and in the absence of such question the business 
transacted is legal, though the meeting has been 
reduced to less than a quorum. 

A meeting called to order at the appointed 
time may proceed without a quorum provided 


64 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


members arriving later complete the quorum and 
approve the business already transacted. 


OFFICERS 


Moderator 


The presiding officer of a church is called pres- 
ident, chairman, or moderator. The principal 
duty of a moderator is to call the meeting to 
order, ascertain the presence of a quorum, an- 
nounce the business before the meeting, preserve 
order, put motions, declare their result, decide 
questions of order, and obey the command of the 
church. 

The moderator does not lose his vote by virtue 
of his office, but he does not usually exercise that 
right except when there is a tie or when the vote 
is by ballot. He may participate in the discussion 
of any question, in which case he should call some- 
one else to the chair temporarily. After he has 
taken part in the discussion, he should resume the 
chair. ‘he chairman of a meeting should not be 
vacillating in his decisions. Better make a wrong 
decision than not any, or than to be wavering 
and hesitating. A wrong decision, if sincere, will 
generally be kindly received by the assembly; and 
it is far better than to have business drag because 
the presiding officer is vacillating. 


Clerk 


The clerk is an important officer in a church 
meeting; and while, as a rule, it is better to rotate 


RULES OF BUSINESS 65 


(pass around) the offices of a church, for the sake 
of the records a competent clerk may well be 
retained in office year after year. 

The chief duty of the clerk is to keep the 
records, including a correct roll of the members, 
and the record of all motions and resolutions in 
a suitable book provided for that purpose; a file 
of all reports and papers, and the preservation 
of all valuable documents. It is desirable that 
all reports and other documents be transcribed 
into the record book of the church. He should 
also afhx his signature to the minutes of all 
meetings. 

The clerk may vote and exercise all the privi- 
leges of any member in the meeting. 


Other Officers 


Besides the moderator and clerk, there are 
other officers in a well organized church; but 
these two are all that are necessary for the trans- 
actions of a business meeting. ‘The other officers 
and their duties will be found in the section en- 
titled CONSTITUTION. 


RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS IN A BUSINESS 
MEETING 


The rights of members are equal. Every 
member, however humble and obscure, has the 
same right as any other member to introduce 
business, explain, make recommendations, an-l 
participate in discussion. He is entitled to cour- 


66 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


teous treatment on the part of the other members 
and the moderator; and it is his privilege to 
protest when this is not accorded him. It is due 
the moderator, the members, and the Cause the 
church represents, that his own conduct and 
language be orderly, courteous, and Christian. 

Every member not only has the privilege of 
voting, but it is his duty to vote unless a question 
that pertains to his personal interest solely is be- 
fore the meeting, in which case he should not only 
refrain from voting but should ask to be excused 
and withdraw from the meeting. It is bad form 
for one to remain in a meeting when a matter 
of marked personal interest to himself alone is 
under consideration; but before he withdraws, he 
may state his position and make such other state- 
ments germane to the question as Christian 
courtesy suggests. 


ORDER OF BUSINESS 


The usual order of business is as follows: 


I. Call to order 
II. Prayer 
III. Reading minutes of last meeting 
IV. Reports of officers and committees 
V. Unfinished business 
VI. New business 
VII. Reading and approval of minutes 


INTRODUCTION OF BUSINESS 


There are four ways in which business may be 
introduced into a meeting: 


RULES OF BUSINESS 67 


(a) By the chairman’s calling the regular 
order of business. 

(b) By the presentation of the report of a 
committee. 

(c) By the presentation of a petition or 
memorial. | 

(d) By a resolution or motion introduced by 
some member. 

No business, however, is regularly before the 
meeting until a motion is made, seconded, and 
stated by the chairman. 

It is not permissible, except by indulgence, to 
discuss a question until it is formally before the 
house, as described above, although any one 
_ having the floor to make a motion may be allowed 
to explain the purpose of the motion before 
taking his seat. 

The second to a motion is required on the 
ground that a subject should not be considered 
unless more than one person so desires. Many 
times in the disposal of routine business the 
moderator does not wait for a formal second, but 
assumes that it has been made, thus saving time 
by taking it for granted that the meeting wishes 
to act on the motion. 


DISPOSAL OF THE QUESTION 


When a motion has been made, seconded, and 
stated by the chairman, it is said to be before 
the house, the assembly or meeting, and is 
henceforth spoken of as the motion, question, or 


68 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


proposition before the house. ‘There are differ- 
ent ways of disposing of the question. 


I. The Main Question 


With or without discussion, the meeting may 
vote on the main question as it is made. This 
action is final, whether the vote be affirmative or 
negative, and the meeting passes to other business. 


II. Subsidiary Questions 


When a question has been regularly brought 
before the house, the members may not desire to 
consider the question at that time; or they may 
not wish to take action on it as presented, in 
which case other motions, called subsidiary mo- 
tions, may be made. The principal subsidiary 
motions are: (a) The question of consideration; 
(b) To lay on the table; (c) To postpone to a 
day certain; (d) Indefinite postponement; (e) 
To commit; (f) To amend; (g) Motion to sub- 
stitute; and (h) The previous question. 


(a) The Question of Consideration 


When a motion is brought before the house, 
some may not wish to consider it. In such cases 
a member may arise and, addressing the chair, 
say, “Mr. Chairman, I rise to the question of con- 
sideration,’ whereupon the chairman says, ‘The 
brother raises the question of consideration. As 
many as are in favour of consideration will say 
Aye. ‘Those opposed will say No.” The chair- - 


RULES: OF BUSINESS 69 


man then announces the result. If the vote is 
afirmative, the meeting proceeds to consider the 
question as introduced; if the result is negative, 
the matter introduced in the main question re- 
mains as if it had not been brought up. 

The question of consideration must be raised 
before there has been any debate or action taken 
regarding the main question, and must be put 
without debate or amendment. 


(b) To Lay on the Table 


This motion has for its purpose the suppression 
of the consideration of a question during the 
_ pleasure of the house, and carries with it all 
motions pending concerning the main question. 
When the main question is taken from the table, 
it is before the house with all its amendments as 
it was prior to the motion to lay on the table. 
The motion to lay on the table is not debatable 
or open to amendment, and takes precedence over 
all other subsidiary motions save the question of 
consideration. It yields to privileged and _ inci- 
dental questions. 


(c) To Postpone to a Day Certain 


When a proposition is brought before a meet- 
ing at what seems to be an unfavourable time for 
its consideration, the motion to postpone to a day 
certain is helpful. This motion is debatable and 
may be amended, provided the debate does not 
involve the merits of the main question. It is in 


70 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


order when the motion to amend is pending, but 
does not cut it off, and is equal in rank to, the 
motion to commit, to postpone indefinitely, and 
for the previous question. | 


(d) Indefinite Postponement 


The motion to postpone indefinitely is debat- 
able, but may not be amended, and when before 
the house throws open the whole question. If 
carried, it kills the main question; if lost, the 
main question is before the house as if the ques- 
tion to postpone indefinitely had not been made. 
It ranks with the motions to postpone to a day 
certain, to commit, and for the previous question. 


(e) Motion to Commit 


When a meeting finds that a question before 
the house can best be handled by referring it to a 
committee, the motion to commit is in order. If 
there are standing committees, it may be referred 
to one of them; or a special committee may be 
appointed. The question to commit may be 
amended and is debatable, but the merits of the 
main question are not open for discussion. This 
motion is not in order when the motion to post- 
pone to a day certain, to postpone indefinitely, or 
for the previous question is before the house. 

The parliamentary procedure in a committee is 
governed by the parliamentary rules of the church, 
or body, creating it; but unless the committee is a 
large one, formalities are not strictly adhered to, 


RULES OF BUSINESS 71 


though they should never be disregarded to the 
injustice of any member. 

Unless the house names the chairman, the 
committee may elect its own chairman, but usually 
the first one named on a committee is considered 
its chairman, by virtue of being named first. 

A committee may recommend anything regard- 
ing the proposition committed to it which seems 
good and wise; and should, if possible, present a 
unanimous report. 

If a committee can not agree upon the report, 
there may be both a majority and a minority re- 
port. For a member of a committee who does 
not agree with the majority report to fail to sub- 
mit a minority report, and then to oppose the 
majority report when before the assembly may be 
questionable procedure. When a minority report 
accompanies the majority report, both may be 
received, and a motion entertained to consider one 
or the other as the house may please. 

When a church adopts the report of a com- 
mittee, whatever is recommended therein becomes 
the action of the church, but the report of a 
committee when before the house may be accepted, 
amended, rejected, or recommitted. ‘The report 
brings before the church the main question with 
all its privileges. 

If the report of a committee or an officer be 
simply a matter of information, containing no 
recommendations, a motion to receive and record 
or place on file is sufficient; but if it contain 


72 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


recommendations or other matters committing the 
church, the motion should be to adopt. 


(f) Motion to Amend 


There may be a desire to modify the motion 
before the house and it may seem best to do this 
without referring it to a committee. The motion 
to amend will serve this purpose. A question 
before the house may be amended (1) by insert- 
ing words, (2) by striking out words, or, (3) by 
- striking out certain words and inserting others. 
The motion to amend is debatable and may be 
amended. 

If the main question under consideration con- 
tain several items, they may be considered item by 
item, in their order, or out of their order; or they 
may be voted on as a whole without discussion of 
separate items. When considered item by item, 
and all have been considered, it is customary to 
adopt them as a whole as amended, if amended. 

When a question is laid on the table, or post- 
poned to a day certain with an amendment pend- 
ing, the amendment goes with it and is before the 
house when the main question is considered again. 


(g) The Previous Question 


The “Previous Question” is a technical term 
for a motion to close debate and obtain immediate 
action on the question before the house. It is — 
seldom resorted to in transacting the business of 
religious bodies, but has been useful in the pro- 


RULES OF BUSINESS 73 


cedure of large deliberative bodies. It has 
changed both as to form and use with the passing 
years; but, in this connection, we are concerned 
with the present usage only. Its real purpose is 
to bring useless debate to a close. When the ques- 
tion before the house has been thoroughly consid- 
ered and there is a manifest disposition to con- 
tinue the debate to no good purpose, the previous 
question may be moved. ‘The form of procedure 
is as follows: Mr. ‘“‘A”’ rises and says, Mr. Mod- 
erator, | move the previous question.” ‘Ihe pre- 
siding ofhcer now says, ‘““Mr. ‘A’ demands the 
previous question. As many as are in favour of 
_ ordering the previous question will say ‘Aye’; as 
many as are opposed will say ‘No.’”’ ‘This ques- 
tion is not debatable and can not be amended. 
The results of the motion are as follows: If deter- 
mined in the negative, the consideration goes on 
as if the motion had never been made; if decided 
in the affirmative, then the presiding officer at 
once, without debate, proceeds to put, first, the 
amendments pending, and then the main question 
as amended. If an adjournment is had after the 
previous question is ordered, the subject comes up 
the first thing after reading the Minutes the next 
session, and the previous question still operates, 
making the main question operative over all other 
business, whether new or unfinished. 

The previous question is of equal rank with the 
motion to postpone to a day certain, to postpone 


74 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


indefinitely, and to commit. It can not be moved 
while either of the others is pending. 

In small assemblies there is but little use for 
the previous question; and the prejudice is so 
strong against shutting off debate that it is often 
rather a dangerous motion to make, and should 
be made only after the assembly has plainly ex- 
hausted the subject. (See Reed’s Parliamentary 
Rules, § § 125, 126, 127.) 


(h) Motion to Substitute 


The motion to substitute is often used, and is 
a form of the motion to amend. It is serviceable 
when the proposition under consideration needs 
extensive revision. “The form of the motion is to 
strike out all except the enacting clause and to sub- 
stitute that which is desired. It has all the priv- 
ileges of the motion to amend. 


III. Privileged Questions 


The nature of privileged questions is indicated 
by the name; they are those which arise out of 
the needs of an assembly, and from their nature 
are granted special privileges or rank. “They 
have precedence over the main question and all 
subsidiary questions. Under this head it will be 
sufficient to mention the following: 


(a) Adjournment 


The motion to adjourn supersedes all other 
questions, provided it includes nothing but mere 


RULES OF BUSINESS 75 


adjournment only. If this motion is carried, the 
meeting does not assemble again unless there is a 
regular appointment; if lost, the business pro- 
ceeds as before the motion was made. The 
motion to adjourn can not be repeated till some 
business has intervened. Fewer than a quorum 
may adjourn to some future day, or without 
providing for another assembling of the meeting. 
The motion to adjourn may not be amended, nor 
is it debatable unless it contains matter other than 
mere simple adjournment, in which case it is both 
debatable and may be amended. On occasion, 
the presiding officer may permit both debate and 
amendment when the simple motion to adjourn is 
pending provided no other business is before the 
meeting. The object of this rule is to prevent 
precipitating an adjournment before the business 
of the meeting is completed. If an assembly has 
not already fixed the time of the next meeting, a 
motion fixing such time takes precedence over any 
motion pending, including the motion to adjourn 
itself. 


(b) To Take a Recess 


Occasionally a church meeting, an association, 
or other religious body, desires to take a recess 
in order that a committee may prepare a report, 
or for some other reason. Under these circum- 
stances a motion to take a recess until a stated 
time is in order. It is not considered debatable, 
though remarks are sometimes allowed by gen- 


ot SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


eral consent. An amendment fixing the time at 
which it is proposed to reassemble may be enter- 
tained. 


(c) Questions Involving Rights of Members and 
the House 


A member who feels that his rights have been 
trampled upon by the house, or that he has been 
misunderstood or falsely accused, may rise to a 
question of privilege, state his grievance, and ask 
for a decision. The chairman may decide the 
question or he may call upon the house to decide 
it. Ihe one raising the question of privilege may 
appeal from the decision of the chairman; the 
chairman must then put the motion, ‘Shall the 
decision of the chairman stand as the decision of 
the church.” 

Questions involving the rights, dignity, and 
safety of the church itself may present themselves. 
When this situation appears, a member may rise 
to a question of privilege, state the case and ask 
for a decision. The chairman may decide the 
question or place it before the house for decision. 

Questions involving the rights and privileges 
of members and of the house are seldom raised 
in religious assemblies, but it should be borne in 
mind by both members and chairman that they 
are lawful questions. ‘They are sometimes called 
questions of privilege to distinguish them from 
other privileged questions. “They take precedence 
over other privileged questions. 


RULES: OF BUSINESS 77 


IV. Incidental Questions 


Besides subsidiary motions and privileged ques- 
tions, there is another class of questions which 
may be considered while the main question is 
pending. ‘These are called Incidental Questions, 
because they are incident to other questions and 
may take precedence over them. ‘The principal 
incidental questions are questions of order, read- 
ing of papers, withdrawal of motions, suspension 
of a rule, and the orders of the day. 


(a) Question of Order 


The Question of Order is seldom needed in the 
transaction of the business of a church or reli- 
gious body. When a member feels that the busi- 
ness is not being transacted in accord with the 
rules and with propriety, he may rise to a Point 
of Order; whereupon he is asked to state his 
point. The presiding officer then rules upon the 
point of order, and if the ruling is not satisfac- 
tory, any member may appeal from his decision 
to the house, in which case the question put by 
the chairman is, ‘‘Shall the decision of the chair- 
man be the decision of the house?’ If the point 
of order is sustained, the business is changed to 
conform to the ruling; otherwise business pro- 
ceeds as before. The question may be debated. 


(b) The Reading of Papers 
When final action is to be taken on a motion, 
report, or paper, and a member desires to have it 


78 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


read for information, it is his privilege to make 
such a request and it is the duty of the chairman 
to order it read. A member may also ask for 
information regarding a motion pending. 


(c) Withdrawal of a Motion 


After a motion has been introduced the wisdom 
of adopting it may be so much in doubt that the 
mover desires to withdraw it. This may be done 
by unanimous consent. If there is opposition to 
its withdrawal, it may be done by majority vote. 
The question should be put without debate or 
amendment. The effect of withdrawal is to leave 
the proposition as if no motion had been made 
regarding it. 


(d) Suspension of a Rule 


By unanimous consent a rule may be suspended. 
To determine whether there is unanimous consent, 
it may be necessary to put the question to vote. 
The rule providing for suspension of a rule does 
not justify the suspension of a constitutional 
requirement. 


Reconsideration 


Sometimes a business meeting passes a measure 
which it wishes to change afterward. This may 
be done by use of the motion to reconsider. The 
motion to reconsider can be made and seconded 
only by those who voted for the question when 
passed; it must be made during the session at 


RULES (OF “BUSINESS 79 


which the proposition was passed; it is debatable, 
provided the original motion was debatable; and 
no motion excepting those pertaining to adjourn- 
ment is in order while it is pending. 

If the motion to reconsider prevails, its effect 
is to bring the original proposition before the 
house as it -was before it passed. When it is 
before the house, it has all the privileges and 
limitations which it had when first introduced. 


Motion to Rescind 


Another measure sometimes used in the busi- 
ness of religious bodies is the motion to rescind. 
Unlike the motion to reconsider, the motion to 
rescind can be made at any time when no other 
business is before the assembly. It is subject to 
amendment and debate, and opens the main ques- 
tion for discussion. 


Other Motions 


There are other motions that might be made 
in a business meeting, but the ones explained in 
this chapter are the ones in most common use; and 
include all that need to arise in the transaction 
of any business—all that will ever likely arise, 
unless a wilful effort is made to complicate pro- 
cedure. These rules are adapted to the use of 
Sabbath Schools, Christian Endeavour Societies, 
Associations, the General Conference, and other 
deliberative assemblies, as well as to that of the 
church; and, furthermore, let it always be remem- 


/ 


80 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


bered that parliamentary rules are not an end in 
themselves, that they exist to facilitate business, 
protect the rights of the minority, give expression 
to the mind of the majority, and always to be 
administered impartially and with Christian 
courtesy. 


Chapter XII. 


THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH 


TWO ORDERS 


In Seventh Day Baptist churches there are two 
orders pertaining to the ministry of the church; 
viz., pastors and deacons. Evangelists, many 
missionaries, and others belong to the same order 
as the pastor, and all are often referred to as a 
body known as the “Christian ministry” or the 
“ministry.” 

MINISTRY 


Of the two orders, the ministry, from the teach- 
ing of the New Testament and its place in the 
church is considered by far the more important; 
and it is with the pastoral office that we are chiefly 
concerned in this connection, though the other 
forms of ministerial service are very important. 


WHAT CONSTITUTES A CALL TO THE MINISTRY? 


Many, particularly young people, struggle over 
the question as to whether they are called to the 
Christian ministry. They have won the victory 
over self and come where they are willing to 
devote their lives to the ministry if the Master 
wants their service there; but they are in doubt 
about what God wants, about what constitutes a 
call to the ministry. How can they find an answer 


(81) 


82 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


to this problem? ‘There are at least six things 
that may point the way. 


ADVICE OF FRIENDS 


1. The attention of many has been called to 
the work of the Christian ministry by their 
friends, who have either directly advised them to 
take up the work or have expressed the hope that 
they would do so. The advice of trusted and 
wise friends who are devout disciples of Christ is 
to be taken into account. Those who are not dis- 
ciples are not competent to advise in such matters. 
But the advice of friends is not conclusive. ‘The 
late Dr. Lewis A. Platts, when a young man, 
went to one of our leading teachers with this 
problem and was advised not to enter the min- 
istry, and was told that he would not succeed if 
he did. But what a misfortune to our common 
cause it would have been had he followed this 
advice! Dwight L. Moody forced his way into 
the Christian ministry against the advice of 
friends. Notwithstanding cases like these, one 
will not lightly put aside the counsel of devout 
Christian friends, whether it be for or against his 
entering the ministry; for God may be using these 
human instrumentalities to point the true way. 


VOICE OF THE CHURCH 


2. The voice of the church may be the voice 
of God to the soul in this matter. God often 
speaks through the church; this was particularly 


MINISTRY 83 


true during the early history of our churches in 
this country. This however, like the advice of 
friends, is not absolutely dependable; for some- 
times the church is so worldly and its leaders so 
Pharisaical that God can not speak through it; 
but if the church is urging one to enter the minis- 
try, one should hesitate a long time before refus- 
ing. As recorded in Acts xiii: 1, 2, God used the 
church to express His will concerning the sending 
out of Paul and Barnabas, and He has often done 
this in all ages of the church. 


PERSONAL FITNESS 


3. One’s fitness for the work is to be taken 
into account. It will go without question that one 
who is sub-normal mentally, is never called of 
God to the Christian ministry. But who is to 
decide who is mentally normal? Some, who, in 
youth, have been supposed to be inferior in this 
respect, have subsequently proved themselves 
above the average, and sometimes have become 
geniuses and great benefactors. 

If one finds his natural gifts tending toward 
the ministry, and if he possesses scholarly inclina- 
tions, a good voice for public speaking, ease in 
meeting people and in appearing in_ public, 
staunchness in defence of the truth, love for men 
and love for his work, happy is he if God calls 
him to the ministry. But this is not an infallible 
test, because God has in every generation passed 
many by who seemed to have gifts and called 


84 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


many who were lacking in both natural fitness 
and inclination. Elder William Satterlee, who 
was so prominent in building up our churches in 
Rensselaer County, New York, had a stammering 
tongue and was much averse to entering the min- 
istry; but God gave him no rest till he did so, 
and he became one of our most successful min- 
isters of his generation. 


PERSONAL INCLINATION 


4. If one finds his tastes drawing him to the 
ministry, he may take it as an indication, not a 
proof, that he is called of God to that work. 
But look for a moment at what the work of the 
ministry is,—that toward which one’s liking draws 
him when it inclines him to the ministry. ‘This is 
one of the first considerations in answering 
whether he is called to the ministry and one that 
must not for one moment be lost sight of. There 
is limitless opportunity in the ministry for devel- 
oping scholarship, but making scholars is not the 
real work of the ministry; there is boundless 
opportunity for producing literature and enjoying 
that of others, but to revel in literature or to 
write essays, however finished and elegant, is not 
the primary work of the Christian ministry; the 
minister is constantly thrust into public view, but 
to make one’s self conspicuous is not the work of 
the ministry; the minister is called to leadership, 
but being merely a leader is not the work of the 
minister. All these things enter into the work of 


MINISTRY 85 


the ministry, but they are only incidental to it. 

What then is the heart of the work of the 
Christian ministry? What does Christ say? 
“For the Son of Man is come to seek and save 
that which was lost.’’ It is to save men from sin 
and lives of sin and help them conquer evil. Paul 
sets forth the same thought when he says, “If by 
any means I might save some.” Unless one has, 
as a deep and abiding conviction, the desire to save 
men from their sins,—which means to start them 
on the Christian life and aid them to conquer 
themselves,—he has no true place in the ministry. 
_He may be a good man, endowed with a high 
order of intellect, brilliant, and of high attain- 
ments of scholarship, but until love for men and 
a supreme desire to save them from the degrada- 
tion, sorrow, pain, and ruin of sin seizes him, he 
should not enter the ministry. To do otherwise 
is to invite disaster, to submit one’s self and the 
church to humiliation, and to have to accept the 
reward of “a hireling whose own the sheep are 
not,’ and his reward is that of a hireling. 

If one finds his tastes drawing him to this work, 
together with these other things as incidentals in 
it, happy is he if God calls him. One’s likes and 
dislikes, however, are not an infallible proof that 
the work of the ministry is that which the Master 
would have him do. We are constantly asked 
to do things we do not enjoy doing. God often 
passes by those who wish to enter the ministry 
and calls those who prefer something else. ‘The 


86 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


question is far greater than one of likes and dis- 
likes, though these may have some bearing on the 
subject. 


NEED FOR WORKERS 


5. The need for workers may be another sign- 
board pointing the way into the ministry. ‘This 
has been the compelling thing which the Holy 
Spirit has used to lead many a disciple to give his 
life to the ministry. “Che whitened fields may be 
God’s call to the ministry as is the need of sol- 
diers to defend one’s country a call to the colours. 
The need for men in the ministry has in all ages 
been very great and never greater than today. If 
it appears to one that he can be of more service 
to humanity in the ministry than elsewhere, it is 
evidence that he should put his life there. One is 
never justified in preaching one year or even one 
hour unless the compelling reason is his sense of 
the great need; he who preaches for selfish 
reasons must be regarded as is a hireling. 


VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 


6. These things, the advice of Christian 
friends, the voice of the church, one’s natural 
tastes and gifts, and the world’s great need, may 
help in settling the question of whether one 
should enter the ministry, but none of them, nor 
all of them, is final. The great thing, the final 
thing, is God Himself impressing the call on the 
soul of man till he feels compelled to yield and 


MINISTRY 87 


enter the ministry. The Spirit of God may, and 
generally does, use some of these things to im- 
press His will upon one, but never until the Spirit 
impresses one into the ministry, is he called of 
God. 

This does not mean that the Holy Spirit ever 
overrides man’s intellectual faculties in calling 
him to the Christian ministry. He uses them; He 
uses them to make known His will. He usually 
appeals to man’s reason as to entering the min- 
istry, by means of friends, the church, man’s nat- 
ural gifts, and especially by means of the needs 
of the hour; but He has in certain cases risen 
above all these, unless it be the needs of the hour, 
and impressed upon certain ones the conviction 
that they should enter the ministry. God does 
not see as man sees; He knows what man is 
capable of better than anyone else; He knows 
whom He can use in the ministry in any genera- 
tion; He can use, and must have, a variety of 
workers and He knows who they are. In view 
of these considerations it involves one of the 
loftiest functions of the intellectual faculties to 
perceive and follow the impress of God’s will 
upon the soul. Many have felt this call of God 
and have been unable to state definitely why they 
are called, except that the harvest was great and 
the labourers few; and these, though not able in 
their own finite judgments to see why they were 
called to such a great work, have gone forward 


88 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


trusting God, knowing that some day they would 
know why God called them. 

To recapitulate: The call to the ministry is 
the impress of God on one’s soul that one should 
enter upon that work. ‘This impress may come 
through the influence and advice of devout 
friends, through the church, through one’s nat- 
ural gifts, and through the whitened fields, or it 
may come in some other way, since the Holy Spirit 
is not limited to any means or method of com- 
munication. Let no man dare enter the ministry 
until he feels impelled by the Holy Spirit of God; 
and when God calls, let no man dare refuse under 
any condition. He who refuses does so at his 
own peril; for, by thus doing, he turns his back 
on God. 


DOORS CLOSED 


7. Suppose that one is impressed that he 
ought to enter the ministry, but that all churches 
and all other doors are closed to his ministerial 
services. [his may well be accepted as conclu- 
sive evidence, either that he is mistaken as to his 
call, which is possible, or that there is no place in 
the ministry for him owing to the attitude of the 
churches and the hardness of men’s hearts. What 
is he to do in such a case? He has offered him- 
self for work, and by so doing he has done his 
duty; and may, with a clear conscience, turn to 
something else, lovingly leaving the responsibility 
with others. The disciples or the church that 


MINISTRY 89 


leads one into the ministry or turns one away 
from it, is assuming a great responsibility, and 
neither should be done without the most earnest 
prayer and careful consideration. Without in 
any sense minimizing the importance of the other 
forms of ministerial service, we must repeat that 
it is with pastoral work that we are chiefly con- 
cerned. 
THE WORK OF THE PASTOR 

The pastor’s chief work is to preach the Gospel 
with the avowed purpose of leading men to begin 
the Christian life and of nurturing the disciples. 
The pulpit is his throne. He is called to be a 
prophet of the Most High. As a priest it is his 
function to administer the sacraments of the 
church, comfort the sorrowing, minister to the sick 
and dying, and to be a true and faithful shepherd 
to his flock at all times and under all circum- 
stances. As an executive it is his to direct, in an 
advisory way, the affairs of the church. In short, 
the pastor is prophet, priest, and executive. 

The pastor is called to a particular pastorate 
by the vote of the church; but he should first be 
called of God to the Christian ministry, as it is 
from God that he receives his authority and not 
from man. He is not to be an autocrat over the 
church, but is to be as one of his flock, and to set 
a worthy example in cooperating in carrying out 
the expressed will of the majority, as well, in all 
matters. A pastor’s term of office may terminate 
either at his request or that of the church. 


90 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


COURTESY TO THE PASTOR 


Care should be exercised that due courtesy to 
the pastor and his sacred office is shown at all 
times. On the occasion of public or semi-public 
funerals and weddings, especially, the pastor 
should not be ignored. Some other minister may 
be invited to take the principal part on such occa- 
sions, but the pastor ought not to be forgotten. 
If a wedding or funeral is strictly private, some 
other minister may be asked to take the entire 
service, if it is so desired. 


DEACONS: HOW CHOSEN, THEIR WORK 


Deacons are chosen by the church, and in most 
churches for life or so long as they remain 
members of the church, though there is much in 
favour of a custom sometimes found in Baptist 
churches of electing deacons for a stated time 
only. 

In the early history of the denomination, as 
well as in the New Testament churches, deacons 
filled a more important place in the church than 
they have in many churches in recent years. It 
appears that in some churches the deaconate, or 
diaconate, has degenerated, so far as work is con- 
cerned, into nothing more than serving at the 
Communion table and aiding a little at the time 
of baptisms. If this is all that is intended, why 
set men apart to the work of this office with so 
much ceremony? ‘The ordination service for dea- 
cons is similar to that for the pastor in every re- 


MINISTRY 91 


spect except that the examination is not quite so 
extensive. Why all this ceremony, if it is ex- 
pected that the deacon do nothing except assist at 
the Communion table and when there is baptism? 
‘There is more expected, the times require more, 
and the early church and Seventh Day Baptist 
churches in former days demanded more. ‘The 
church during the New Testament period was in 
a formative state and we cannot claim absolute 
uniformity in the matter of details, and evidently 
there was no attempt at such a regime; but it is 
very conclusive that the deacon was an assistant 
to the pastor. ‘his has been the custom among 
Seventh Day Baptist churches. The meaning of 
the word translated ‘‘deacon”’ is “‘servant.”’ ‘The 
pastor in a general way is pastor of the entire 
church and every branch of its work, and the 
deacons are to assist the pastor in this work. 


(a) The Sacraments 


The deacons are to assist the pastor in the 
administration of the sacraments. ‘There is more 
to this than the mere mechanical furnishing and 
setting of the table, passing the emblems and 
rendering such service at baptism as is needed. 
They should do these things faithfully and 
promptly even to the providing of a place for 
baptism, and they should also see that everything 
possible is done to make these services orderly, 
impressive, and spiritually uplifting. Many a 
Communion Service has been spoiled because of 


92 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


the haphazard way in which it has been con- 
ducted. A mutual understanding between the 
pastor and deacons will obviate this. It is incum- 
bent upon the pastor to see that this is done; but if 
he does not, the deacons should insist upon hay- 
ing such an understanding. 


(b) Temporal Affairs 


As in the church at Jerusalem, it is the deacons’ 
place to assist the pastor in administering the tem- 
poral affairs of the church. The pastor in his 
pastoral work will come in contact with the sick 
and needy, and deacons are expected to aid him in 
visiting the sick as well as to administer the 
benevolences of the church. In many cases they 
can report to him the sick and needy which have 
not come under his notice. 

If the financial affairs of the church are not 
looked after by anyone else, it is incumbent upon 
the deacons to see that some one is appointed to 
do this work, or to lead in it themselves. 


(c) Pastor's Advisers 


The deacons are the ones to whom the pastor 
naturally looks for advice, unless a board or com- 
mittee is appointed for that specific purpose; and 
if there is such a committee, the deacons should 
be members of it, by all means. A wise pastor 
always looks to his deacons, if they are worthy 
and men interested in the church. They are his 
natural advisers, and if he turns to them for coun- 


MINISTRY 95 


sel, no one can criticise, for has not the church 
chosen them? 


(d) Leaders in Discipline 


The deacons are the natural leaders in church 
discipline, remembering always that discipline has 
for its object the reclaiming of the wandering. In 
this matter, as in all others pertaining to the 
church, other members are not to shoulder this 
responsibility upon the deacons, but next to the 
pastor the deacons are to lead out in these matters 
if no one else will. Frequently it is true that the 
_ deacons can take the lead in cases of discipline 
better than the pastor himself. 

(e) Lead in the Absence of a Pastor 

In the absence of a pastor the deacons are to 
lead in all the work of the church and perform 
many of the duties of a pastor. In this case the 
visiting of the sick and looking after the needy 
by the deacons become doubly necessary. Pro- 
viding leaders for public worship rests upon them 
unless some one else is appointed for that purpose. 
If the Spirit lead them to preach, as it did 
Stephen, they should render this service. The 
fact that in the absence of the pastor they are the 
ones to see that the services are maintained with 
order and regularity does not mean that they are 
always to lead the meetings; they may secure, as 
is often done in pastorless churches, others to 
take their turn in conducting the services, if such 
a course seem best. 


94 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


In the absence of the pastor, the deacons should 
see that the Lord’s Supper is celebrated regularly 
and baptism administered when occasion requires. 
Some of our early churches formally instructed 
their deacons to administer the ordinance of bap- 
tism and officiate at the Lord’s Supper. Every 
church should have some one in it whose duty 
and privilege it is to administer the sacraments; 
if no ordained pastor or elder is present, some one 
should be appointed to do so, and the deacons are 
the ones to see that this is done. They should 
make sure that the church instructs them or some 
one else to render this service. One of the deacons 
may take his place at the table and the others pass 
the emblems, all being understood beforehand. 
And it may be added that if there are no deacons, 
others should be instructed to administer the sac- 
raments. Leaders should be appointed in all 
churches; this has been the practice, spirit, and 
genius of Seventh Day Baptist churches as well as 
Baptist churches, and it is needless to say that it 
should be continued. 


(f) Not to Do All the Work, nor Assume a 
Lordly Spirit or Attitude 


While the deacon is the pastor’s assistant in 
every good service which he can render and in the 
absence of the pastor the leader of the work of 
the church unless some one else is appointed, he 
is not expected to do all the work any more than 
a superintendent is expected to do all the work in 


MINISTRY 95 


a factory. He is the servant of the church, as the 
name indicates, and he will serve best by leading 
others to active service whenever he can. Above 
all, the spirit of loving, helpful tenderness is to 
permeate all. 

Notwithstanding the fact that so many duties 
and prerogatives belong to a faithful deacon, he 
is to guard against a lordly spirit or attitude. 
To be officious, or to seem to be, mars all. He 
rules best, as well as serves best, who keeps him- 
self in the background, pushing others ahead 
whenever he can, and always making Christ and 
His holy will supreme. 


Chapter XIII. 


ORDINATION AND DENOMINATIONAL 
RECOGNITION 


FITNESS AND IMPORTANCE OF ORDINATION AND 
RECOGNITION 


When one called of God is fitted for, and is 
about to enter upon, the exalted duties of the 
Gospel ministry, it is appropriate and in accord 
with the best sentiments of all men, as well as 
with New Testament practice, that he should be 
consecrated to that work by solemn and well 
ordered services. The installation services in cer- 
tain secular organizations are a witness to this 
fact; in such organizations the sentiment of man- 
kind seems to dictate that when men assume the 
duties of comparatively unimportant offices, they 
should be installed with special services. How 
much more needful, then, that those entering the 
Gospel ministry should be inducted into the duties 
of that high calling with suitable services, public 
and impressive! Such services, however, are 
sanctioned by the higher authority of the Bible 
and of the Holy Spirit. 


DELIBERATION, WITHOUT UNDUE HASTE 


Undue haste should never be permitted in the 
matter of consecrating a candidate to the Chris- 
tian ministry. He should have demonstrated to 

(96) 


ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION 97 


himself and to the church that he is called of God 
to the ministry and that he is prepared to meet 
the duties of that call. ‘This may take months 
and even years; and, in the meantime, the church 
of which the candidate is a member, or the one 
with which he is labouring, may license him tem- 
porarily to baptize and officiate at the Communion 
table. Such a course as this is entirely proper 
and far better than to ordain a man before he 
has proved his call by service in the ministry. 

It has not been the policy of Seventh Day 
Baptists to set any bounds as to the amount or 
length of preparation before ordination; but 
churches have, as a rule, urged candidates to pre- 
pare themselves thoroughly and to take time to 
demonstrate that they are called of God and pre- 
pared for the work. 


WHO SHOULD ORDAIN? 


It is in accord with New Testament order, and 
has been in the practice of Seventh Day Baptists, 
that ordination should originate with the local 
church, and not with any outside body. 

If a man fitted for the work of the ministry is 
about to go to a field outside the bounds of the 
church of which he is a member, it is appropriate 
that the latter church should call him to ordina- 
tion; however, if preferred, ordination may be 
delayed till he reaches the church which he is to 
serve. 


98 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


A COUNCIL OF CHURCHES SHOULD BE CALLED IF 
POSSIBLE 


In a matter of so great importance as the con- 
secration of a man to the Christian ministry, it is 
well that the church desiring the ordination of a 
candidate should call upon sister churches to send 
delegates to sit in council with it to consider the 
matter. This, with scarcely an exception, has 
been the practice of Seventh Day Baptist churches. 
Churches have sent their candidates to an annual 
session of an Association or the General Confer- 
ence with the request that they be ordained by 
the brethren there assembled. ‘This procedure 
was common for a time in the middle of the last 
century, but was soon discouraged. 

Churches have sometimes called a council, and, 
for the convenience of the delegates appointed 
thereto, asked that the council meet immediately 
prior to, or during, or following, an Associa- 
tion or other public gathering of the churches; 
it being understood that ordination, if it takes 
place under such circumstances, is the act of the 
church calling the council, and not that of the 
Association or other public meeting. 

If no sister church can send delegates and the 
demand that the candidate be ordained is imper- 
ative, the local church is empowered by the Mas- 
ter to proceed with the ordination without a coun- 
cil. Ordination without a council is to be discour- 
aged, however, unwarranted, or indiscreet, exer- 


ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION 99 


cise of this right having been productive of 
regretted results and sharp criticism in the past. 


THE PROCEDURE IN ORDINATION 


The procedure when a candidate is ready for 
ordination to the ministry is as follows: 


1. Vote of the Church 


The local church votes to call the candidate to 
examination, and, if he is found qualified, to 
ordination; the church also votes to invite 
churches of like faith in a given section (generally 
the churches in the Association to which the 
church calling the council belongs) to send dele- 
gates to the council. 

For a few years past, a number of our Associ- 
ations have appointed Ordination Committees; 
and many times the church, after voting to call the 
candidate to ordination, has voted to ask the 
Ordination Committee to call the council, conduct 
the examination, and ordain the candidate if he is 
found qualified, all being understood to be done 
in the name of the church. 

The vote of the church to call the candidate is 
usually about as follows: 

Whereas, Brother Herbert Clarke, a member of this 
church, has given evidence that he is called of God to 
the Gospel ministry ; and, 

Whereas, We believe the time has come when he 
should be in solemn public services formally set apart 
to that work; therefore be it 


100 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


ReEso_veD: First, That we call Brother Herbert 
Clarke to examination with view to the ministry, and 
to ordination, provided upon examination it appears 
the time has come for such action. 


Second, That we call a council to consider and pass 
upon the fitness of Brother Herbert Clarke, said 


council to meet with us at 10 o’clock a. M., June 30, 
1921; and 


Third, That we invite sister churches in this Asso- 
ciation to send delegates to said council. 

The invitations to sister churches to send dele- 
gates may be sent out by the clerk, or the church 
may appoint a special committee to do so; or, if 
it chooses, it may ask the Ordination Committee 
to send out the invitations in the name of the 
church. 


2. Appointment of Delegates 


Upon the receipt of an invitation to appoint 
delegates, our churches usually appoint the pastor, 
deacons, deaconesses, and a few lay members. 
The church calling the council also appoints dele- 
gates to sit with the council, and it is fitting that 
it have a large delegation. 

It has been the practice in some churches that 
the clerks forward to the council a list of dele- 
gates appointed by their respective churches. By 
this practice, the delegates do not appear with- 
out their credentials. This is the business-like 
way to proceed and ought to be practiced by all 
churches. 


ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION 101 


3. Who Calls the Council to Order 


When the council assembles, the meeting is 
called to order by the pastor of the local church; 
or by the clerk; or, if the Ordination Committee 
have charge, by the chairman of that committee. 
The one who calls the council to order should pre- 
side over the council until the action of the church 
calling the council has been read and a moderator, 
or chairman, has been elected. 


4. Reading the Call 


Following the call to order, the action of the 
church in calling the council should be read. 


5. List of Delegates 


After the call has been read, a list of the dele- 
gates appointed and present is obtained in some 
business-like manner. 


6. Election of Moderator and Clerk 


A correct list of the delegates having been 
obtained, the organization of the council is com- 
pleted by the election of a moderator and a clerk. 


7. Season of Prayer 


Either at this point, or when the meeting is 
first called to order, the council should engage 
in a season of earnest, humble prayer for the 
guidance of God. 


102 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


8. Examination of Candidate 


When the council is organized and ready to 
proceed with its work, the candidate is called 
upon to state his Christian experience and call to 
the ministry, and is examined as to his religious 
beliefs. | 

Occasionally it has been the practice for the 
candidate to read a paper setting forth his beliefs; 
and, in some cases, his Christian experience has 
also been included in the written statement. 
Some, however, feel that it reflects greater credit 
upon the candidate, upon his training, and upon 
the Cause if the candidate submits to an open and 
systematic oral examination by the council. An 
oral examination is conducted either by the pre- 
siding oficer or by some one appointed for that 
purpose. In whatever way the examination is 
conducted, there should be the utmost freedom 
in asking questions. 


9. Vote of the Council 


At the close of the examination the candidate 
should withdraw from the room, and the council 
should consider, and vote upon, his fitness for 
ordination. The council may decide that the 
candidate is not called to the ministry; or it may 
decide that, though called of God to preach the 
Gospel, the time has not come when he should 
be publicly set apart to that work; or it may 
decide that he is prepared and ready for ordina- 
tion. The fact that a council has been called and 


ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION 103 


examination held should not in any way prejudice 
the council to recommend that the candidate be 
ordained. For several decades, however, a coun- 
cil has seldom recommended a delay in ordination, 
and still less seldom has it recommended that the 
candidate be forbidden to preach. 

The usual action is very simple, and is as 
follows: 

RESOLVED, That the examination of Brother Herbert 


Clarke has been satisfactory and we recommend that 
he be ordained. 


10. Who Conducts the Ordination Service 


When the action is favourable, it is the custom 
of the Baptists for the council to turn the ordina- 
tion exercises over to the local church, in which 
case the pastor presides and conducts the ordina- 
tion exercises. Among Seventh Day Baptists, 
more recently, the moderator of the council has 
conducted the ordination exercises. 


11. Order of Exercises 


The order of exercises at an ordination service 
is varied to meet the needs of the occasion, but 
the usual order is something as follows: 

(a) Opening Exercises. (These may be similar to 
the usual opening exercises of the church service, or 
they may be much modified.) 


(b) Ordination Sermon 

(c) Charge to the Candidate 
(d) Charge to the Church 
(e) Consecrating Prayer 


104 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


(f) Welcome to the Ministry 
(g) Hymn by the Congregation 
(h) Benediction by the Candidate 


2. Records and Certificates 


A complete record of the transactions of the 
council, together with the actions of the church in 
relation to the ordination should be entered in 
the regular records of the church. Also the can- 
didate should be given a certificate of ordination, 
for which the following form may be used: 

This Is To Certify, That Brother Herbert Clarke 
after a satisfactory examination as to his Christian 
experience, call to the ministry, and religious faith, 
by a council called by the Seventh Day Baptist Church 
of Hope Valley, N. J., was consecrated to the Chris- 
tian ministry at Hope Valley, N. J., on the 21st day 
of April, 1921. 

WILLIAM F. GREENE, 
Moderator. 


WitiiAM B. Maxson, 
Clerk. 


RECOGNITION BY THE GENERAL CONFERENCE 
At the General Conference held at Boulder, 


Colorado, in 1908, a resolution was adopted 
which included the statement that “Conference 
may, upon request of a church, recognize one as 
a minister in the denomination.” If the church 
calling the council wishes the newly consecrated 
candidate recognized by the General Conference 
as an ordained minister, it should pass a resolu- 
tion to that effect and forward it to the General 


ORDINATION AND RECOGNITION 105 


Conference; or if a minister wishes to be recog- 
nized, he should ask the church ordaining him to 
forward the request to General Conference. 


RECOGNITION OF MINISTERS FROM OTHER 
DENOMINATIONS 


1. Procedure Similar to That in Case of 
Ordination 


The procedure in the recognition of ministers 
coming from other denominations is much the 
same as in the case of the ordination of one just 
entering the ministry; and what has been said 
regarding that subject applies to this, for the 
most part. 


2. Become a Member of One of Our Churches 


Before any church asks that a minister from 
another denomination be recognized, he should 
become a member of one of our churches. ‘This 
is self-evidently consistent and has always been 
the practice of Seventh Day Baptists. Joining 
one of our churches makes one a member of the 
denomination and there is no occasion to recog- 
nize a minister until he has become a member of 
the denomination, any more than there is to or- 
dain one to the ministry who is not a member of 
one of our churches. 


3. Council Called 


It is fitting that a church desiring the recognition 
of a minister from another denomination should 


106 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


call a council, that the council should be properly 
organized, that the candidate should be exam- 
ined, and that his qualifications should be passed 
upon by the council the same as in the case of 
the ordination of a minister. In the examina- 
tion, especial attention is rightfully given to 
denominational faith and practice. 


4. Ordination Exercises Not Necessary 


In recognizing a minister from another denom- 
ination who has been ordained, it is customary to 
omit ordination exercises, properly so called; but 
the candidate may, with great propriety, be given 
the right hand of fellowship, as a welcome into 
the Seventh Day Baptist ministry, and this is usu- 
ally done. 


Chapter XIV. 


CHURCH DISCIPLINE 


Church discipline has for its object the restora- 
tion of the erring one, not to punish, much less 
to slander or place him in an unfavourable light 
before the church or the world. Every step taken 
in adjusting differences between church members, 
and in looking after the wandering, should be 
such as to show that the church is yearning with 
a Christ-like love for the wayward ones. Disci- 
pline in any other spirit is to be deplored, and is 
a disgrace to the church. In our church coven- 
ants we pledge ourselves to watch over one an- 
other in Christian love; and Paul says, “Brethren, 
if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are 
spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meek- 
ness, considering thyself lest thou also be tempted.” 


A. PROCEDURE WITH A LAYMAN 


Private Offenses 


There are two classes of offenses, private and 
public. Private offenses are those wherein one 
member has a grievance against another church 
member. These are to be dealt with according 
to the teaching of Christ laid down in the eigh- 
teenth chapter of Matthew. There are three 
steps that are to be taken if necessary. (1) The 
one offended is to go to the offender, tell him the 

(107) 


108 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


trouble, and seek to come to an understanding and 
reconciliation. If this is accomplished, no further 
steps are necessary. (2) If reconciliation can 
not be brought about by the two alone, then the 
offended is to take two or three other members 
with him, go to the brother against whom there 
is a grievance, and with their help seek reconcilia- 
tion. (3) If this does not bring about a brotherly 
relation, the matter is to be taken to the church, 
and the church is to use every means to bring 
about a reconciliation between the two. If the 
church finds that one has wronged the other and 
is unwilling to acknowledge it and make the wrong 
right as far as possible, then the offender is a 
subject for discipline. 

Cases may arise where it is wise to call a 
council of sister churches to assist in settling 
matters growing out of private offenses. 

‘It is not to be made public until all these steps 
(the steps laid down by Christ) have been taken 
and failed; and to be made public then by telling 
the church and no others,’”’ says Hiscox in his 
Baptist Church Polity. ‘The publication of the 
faults of a brother is a violation of the spirit and 
teachings of Christ and is a godless procedure, 
one which in days past subjected the one guilty 
of such conduct to the severest discipline; namely, 
excommunication. 

The matter does not rest entirely with the one 
who is offended; the offender has obligations in 
the matter. If one has injured another, he is to 


CHURCH DISCIPLINE 109 


seek out the injured brother and endeavour to 
bring about a reconciliation. See Matt. 5: 23, 24. 
The responsibility for restoring right relations 
rests on both the offended and the offender. 


Public Offenses 


Public offenses are those which are not against 
any one in particular, but are a reproach to the 
church and the Cause of Christ. The more com- 
mon ones are improper words, indiscreet conduct, 
immoral life, contention and strife, refusing to 
pay debts, and disregard of absolute honesty and 
truthfulness in any of the affairs of life. 

In these cases as with private offenses, the one 
knowing about them is to go to the sinning one, 
privately, and in tenderness and love try to win 
him from the error of his ways. He is not to 
publish the offense, but seek to restore the 
offender. 

If no one pursues this personal course, the 
matter should be brought to the deacons or to 
the spiritual advisers of the church, and they 
should take such action as shall tend to reclaim 
the wandering one and keep the offense from 
becoming public. Many a one starting on the 
downward road can be saved, if, instead of 
having his sin published and the church withdraw- 
ing from him, he is approached in the manner 
indicated above. 

In case all efforts on the part of the individual 
members and officers fail to reclaim the erring 


110 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


one, or if his conduct has been a public scandal, 
the charges should be taken to the church, and in 
very difficult cases the church may well seek the 
aid of sister churches, asking them to sit in council 
with it, as in the case of ordination. 

It is conceded by all, or nearly all, denomina- 
tions that the accused, whether minister or lay- 
man, has the right to demand that he be pre- 
sented with a copy of the charges against him, 
and that the names of the witnesses be given. In 
fairness, a church will do this without request 
from the accused. 

The Presbyterians, in the discipline laid down 
for their churches, not only insist that the accused 
be given a copy of the charges against him con- 
taining the names of the witnesses and signed by 
his accusers, but also that the time and place of 
the offense be specified therein. 

Hiscox in his Baptist Church Polity says, “Any 
member tried by the church has the right to 
receive copies of all charges against him, the 
names of his accusers and witnesses, both of whom 
he shall have the privilege of meeting face to 
face, hearing their statements, bringing witnesses 
on his side and answering for himself before the 
body.” 


Brotherly Love 


All prejudice and revenge should be eliminated 
before discipline is commenced. Discipline is 
sometimes started under conditions and pursued 


CHURCH DISCIPLINE 111 


in ways which indicate to the world and all con- 
cerned that those pressing the discipline are 
prompted by revenge or malice and that the object 
is not to restore the erring and advance the. Cause 
but to satisfy a personal grudge. This is entirely 
foreign to the spirit of Christ and only harm can 
come from discipline under such circumstances; 
it is a reproach to the church greater, if possible, 
than the supposed crime of the accused. If disci- 
pline cannot be undertaken and carried through in 
the spirit of brotherly love, it had better never be 
undertaken. (See Gal. 6:1.) As little as possi- 
ble should be done to humiliate the accused. ‘The 
civil law considers one innocent until proved guilty, 
and the followers of Christ cannot do less with- 
out ceasing to be His followers. Every step in 
discipline should be conducted with the utmost 
fairness and with a view of finding the truth and 
restoring the accused, if proved guilty. 


B. PROCEDURE WITH A MINISTER 


Principle and Procedure the Same as with a 
Layman 


Seventh Day Baptist churches have so seldom 
had occasion to depose or discipline any of its 
ministers through its nearly three centuries of 
history that a recognized form of procedure can 
hardly be said to have been established. How- 
ever, we have the Bible and the practice of the 
regular Baptist denomination, whose interpreta- 
tion of the Bible regarding church polity is similar 


%¥ 
112 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


to ours. The discipline of the ministry should not 
be different from that of other members and 
should be conducted according to the rules of 
Christ laid down as recorded in the 18th chapter 
of Matthew. If it be a case of private offense, 
the aggrieved one is to go to the minister before 
he says anything about it to any one else; if thus 
unable to bring about adjustment, he should secure 
the help of two or three others; and if he does 
not succeed then, the matter is to be taken to the 
church. If it be a public offense—improper 
words, indiscreet conduct, immoral life, contention 
and strife, dishonesty and untruthfulness,—the 
one knowing about the offense is to admonish, 
even his pastor, and seek a reformation; and if 
no one else takes it up, the spiritual advisers of 
the church should do so; they are the natural 
leaders in all such matters. All that is possible 
should be done in a quiet way to restore and to 
prevent a reproach to the minister, the church, 
and the Cause. 

If the charges are a public scandal they should 
be taken to the church. For the sake of being 
fair and as a safeguard against encouraging vile, 
suspicious, and malignant people preferring 
charges without any basis, the accused minister, 
like the layman, is entitled to a copy of the charges 
against him, giving the names of the witnesses, 
stating the time and place of the offense, and 
signed by his accusers. If need be, he is also 
entitled to call in some one or ones to present 


CHURCH DISCIPLINE 113 


his defense. Malice and prejudice are to be 
ruled out, and the sympathy of Christ installed. 


A Council May Be Called 


In difhcult cases a church may well seek the 
help of sister churches, asking them to send dele- 
gates to sit in council with the church in consider- 
ing the charges against the minister, or the min- 
ister may ask for a council. If a council is asked 
for, it may be called and organized as in the case 
of an ordination council. 


Possible Findings of Church or Council 


The possible fndings of a church or council at 
the close of the trial, or hearing, are many and 
varied; the following are some of the more 
prominent ones: 


First. ‘The accused may be found innocent. 
The fact that one has been reported to be guilty 
of misdemeanor, or that he is accused even by 
those high in the church, is no more proof today 
that he is guilty than it was in the days of Christ. 
If one is proved innocent, everything possible 
should be done to remove any stain that has been 
placed upon him or his reputation, and those who 
have accused him falsely may be placed under 
discipline. 

Second. ‘The accused may be found innocent, 
but that by his indiscretions he has given ground 
for suspicion, in which case he should be admon- 
ished to cease his indiscretions. 


114 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


Third. The accused may be found guilty and 
penitent, in which case he should be forgiven and 
restored. It is generally agreed, however, that 
in cases of gross immorality the guilty party 
should be put on probation for a time, at least, 
that he may demonstrate his sincere penitence. 


Fourth. ‘The accused may be found guilty but 
impenitent, in which case every effort should be 
made to bring him to penitence; but if he remain 
impenitent and the offense is one worthy of a trial 
in the first place, the church cannot well do less 
than ask the offender to terminate his official 
duties; and if the offense be a grievous one, it 
may be best for the church to drop his name 
from the roll, giving him a written statement why 
such action is taken. 


Guarding the Accused’s Reputation 


While safeguarding the reputation of the 
church, great care should be taken on the part of 
the church and all its members that no unneces- 
sary stigma be placed on the accused. ‘The fol- 
lowing statement is found in both the Congrega- 
tional Manual of Rules and Order, by Barton; 
and 4 Baptist Manual, by Soares: 

“A man’s reputation as a present or former member 
of a church is a very sacred thing; and the courts will 
not lightly regard any attempt to defame or persecute 
an excommunicated member though he is guilty. In 
general the principle is that the right of a church to 
discipline its members holds only within the sphere of 
his church membership. If a church has withdrawn 


CHURCH DISCIPLINE 115 


fellowship from a member, it should not publish the 
fact to his harm unless it is impelled to do so for its 
own protection, or for the protection of sister churches. 
It has an inherent right to purge its own roll from 
unworthy members, to free its good name from the 
dishonour of their scandals and to protect other 
churches from dishonour.. But it has no right to 
libel him, even with the truth. 

“““A libel is a malicious defamation expressed either 
by writing, or printing, or by signs, pictures, effigies 
or the like, tending to blacken the memory of one 
who is dead, or to impeach his honesty, integrity, 
virtue or reputation, or publish the natural or alleged 
defects of one who is alive, and thereby expose him to 
public hatred, contempt, ridicule, or obliquy; or to 
cause him to be shunned or avoided, or to injure him 
in his office, business or occupation.’’—Quoted by 
these writers from the “Encyclopedia of Law.” 


Restoration — 

The disciplining of a minister, as of a layman, 
looks towards restoration. 

The first step in the restoration of a deposed 
minister is to lead him back into fellowship with 
his Saviour and God; this is not only the first 
but the most important step. 

When it is evident to the church that the 
deposed one has been brought back into fellow- 
ship with the Father, he should make application 
for church fellowship if he has been excluded. He 
should first seek to be restored into the fellow- 
ship of the church from which he was excluded; 
or this church should at least give its approval to 
his reception into some other church. This is the 


116 SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MANUAL 


method always pursued in the case of private 
members where churches sincerely try to be fair 
with each other; it gives the one who its restored 
a clean record, and shows courtesy to the church 
that has disciplined him. To ignore the church 
that has excommunicated the candidate for restor- 
ation is to question the justice of its discipline, if 
not to condemn it for what it has done. 

If, after being restored to church membership, 
it is thought wise that the deposed one be restored 
to the ministry, steps to that end should originate 
with the church desiring his restoration and a 
council should be called as in case of ordination. 
The question before the council in such cases is 
the wisdom of restoring the brother to the min- 
istry. A second ordination is not necessary. 

If in any case it should be found that one has 
been wrongfully condemned, every effort should 
be made on the part of the church, not alone to 
restore the condemned one to his former place 
in the church, but to make right in every way 
possible the injury thus done, as far as possible. 
If he has been wrongfully condemned by a council, 
the council should be recalled or a new one called 
to rescind the former action; if he has been 
wrongfully condemned by a vote of the church, 
the church should acknowledge its mistake and 
make any restoration in its power to make. 


Page 

BU Vietty MOAT ne ea naa s eieter ts tet oi erage Nae Saale oe Willa elas 53 

LS GRE ede C USUIIANI EE CERN pia. eh siti hh cote chalk Sins Vl os 19 sieliotedl ogee alte Oa as 53 

PeAIeP MIE TST ek UE CUA) eee ileus Rictats aA ono Cine ek biked Ckveiaisia a 12 

SPADE ESIT Matos Cis oe ans. corte ole Sicko WAS aetacaTa ee el Wins Saas te ia 26, 29, 43, 48 
Vanier eat Gera COM Re casia ts such cts te ttheree ale ele ele ek eee webs stat oieientie a's 48 
IB aptiSinia le ROMCSRmOT tertrete co cote! ter ecoket phone tore ieuevale er edeic aioe aotts face 48 
Bao ti ria lem OL) Late vaoyer dl ctererel cau class vaver ot ore ucelan wher oy eae henaltes out tes 49 

HS DuLGES Me tear wo eis ea ees se eth sey cla baversn sie es tee: sere aloye: Seeve-o Wharer ore toma thie 7 

US ADELST MN COMIN CHE LO LEE Veeco oh oy OIF Sr ose e eh UA Phe eee erate ohelead overs 110 

SCPE ES ES SMO C OIG! he BIA RNA Stn RPE TERE PCR Oke EO TOR LATICO ATO IPD BOIS 57, 114 

Garton, William E., Rules of Order for Ecclesiastical Assemblies, 57 
GDL OIG OM LTO PALE OMG a OW SALE watt natin the a alters eters veudeccha eae 57 

EEL ONDAS PT NC URDL Meet se eee eles aie Pha TRG See OT BIG a ke eee a eal aa 114 

Peer Mat meer sY Cin CIEL Gln atc aoe gos Soe Shy monies fi claie ato iay ee leet vee 12 

parcel LE OLILIT Clits, oe ciate et Ae aves ia el Wee eater oc eteen acme ne Rtcaye 12, 14 

TERERSIH, «CRA cee Vew NDT OP Vol OA bee RS ey pe apne Senne oe Uitte Saat a te 51 

RETAIL OT ML AIMISLE Wea fare Sh tere, Pena ele akcic oot eee he cM eS ascntte Gis SEES dite a 81 
RUGUECORIO A TIENOG IES ¢ an Cachan Atk Ta ee eee ee ee ao §2 
WEL OCMNO Le OUT CLL erae ie coats oietetcnels sat Ree eon elare erie Lee ta atates ies ane 82 
IZORSOM cl Wm UATTIOSSO LD 4 af atin wicttcke eee fine me wR Reale adi Gow bc ae Oe 83 
Fee SOLA MatLChMeatlonh wul,.< Ars, siaderett 5 Gace Ge oie anes nieve er atieus eaaiten ane 84 
INicetitg Obie VWViOtKerow in. cain coal orete ok tues carton) ot eo eae ate 86 
WADTC EHO w Ll Oly aM Omi taal tee ithe > anes Pee iricce oo eia e Dhenea &6 
UNG OLS me OSC CME era a eaters Maleavian Ma on Ryan yale cis Mae reece 88 

GiEStiAn MeN SSOCIALLONS ee tais ce ckeras eres Tk 8 Sato act eats ieee ate ae trc 9 

Christian Ministry (See Ministry of Church) 

Gite MOOS tICUTION vObe 0: temas eerie © UES AIT ones ea ete re 52 
UN AEY OUMMRENE Potente trans aticrans etal Mate rhs Se eae che Teta IG Aer eK ee Teme wesee itera 52 
MUST CE SULD a ws. cate ciate lone sie relahore er reeee eae ane tae ne Rees atte een ee 34 
SU EAS TAR Sea ie Givin a9. set") a, a etahe whe ANE chic iota ene RT weet tes 52 
(DAN GUESS — RSG Cg ee ISBN Carer he eee atic Re REA Ree MRA ets Se 
ETC LIOI MEO bac CUTICELS «che isicehetecovore ecereteraveue Ducta onsen he iets, dasetotinns fate vee 53 

ASOLO eters avers ctv eiuisate tise oc Ota rcaiCd Gee cons eater atten 53 
eR Gumtpr CIs ie at ats eal cu Rh ie GES evesk cose S cuchele uate I ete A oes 53 
COVEY COATED VR ALS Breage a toiges learn trig gee a RE Ms Be ence Binds 53 
SAILS SE GEM ain ine ot a weccota ie divloekctata es cia oon ieteiene obs Miara eh cacti 53 
SESE COSI mee Rea Ne Ki ettievel ofaics ctanna tees io Mares bra he ee ear ate leer oe 
cy iinet) MLCCLS ee ate seta eie ek cis are OL ee te el oat ate aneeede tere 53 
Nd visonyes DOAbGmECOt me COmmiLEee) cates tars lems etasttre detente 53 
METEOR gn CTI CELS were « aiete ilo: ee ctor ee Lehner er oele wiciecolaieial eee nee 53 
aac es iL DELS her va ein 5 Slee take Bic tetouetomnete ha tere octane 55 
See Taree ta iptian actin aie. Sr ttay a orale dus Tees V'ea een lel atee ee ada toon emer 55 
SOTO «ET VICE onc che cidls ee Rice a oPei ne wee ele 45, 56 
PRTSNGTIOUIINGT Slane ache ee ele Pale Redes TITS ee EO Lae eter een a 56 
iO eR CG OODETACION Le cated aie siete eis ae ghd fevele or evel oolaiersce etalchananstedatte 21 
Pear yaw Cetin gg liisie cst. semis sta as Corio 2 ote einete ate svete treie 22 
KeneraliaM CCtin ge pac views stele nieciucs ote otha i eheisiar srohenonehetoreeeste 22 
(RENE a re GONTCTEN CEs settie ciara? eel ketenes ao aon Woe theta es ge 
Seventh Day Baptist Education Society ............. 22 
American asabbatie a racts SOCIETY, welecret cts tevelciet slateieit oie ots 22 
Sabbath School Board of General Conference ......... 22 
WA Tall SEES OAT C dinieta retaNe aiavanaiecat siete: oes eratcesvons attic eteheh suena ty 22 
Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society ...........+. 22 

SSOrt PEL SCID NOt tea tne ae or kitend Palak seid ocerahis » aiWeje cima ee ha MRE i ale 107 
ODIECEL Wate reiatee sane sas AGAIN cfokace eee ci phatctolale oie, b, thaker Shor optee shee 107 
GOCE COLWitilead plaza VINtat) oie ayeinis 6 etereuers (eleleteve tis! ouchel cher staieleve terete 107 

Principle of Procedure ........... Sosa gic Gales eda cee 110 


(117) 


Privateers Ofrensesa cits eten- ots Pe SU OE ees or ror nur at 107 

Btibhe Offenses 72k &!53.c ae istereee eteicrmevnoca ate eet 109 
Brother] yeelsoves ss scstines a ae Wi cANe. ae ioral ohece oie eel mplavettreme 1106 
Procedure, cwith@a, eviinisteri s.r ea Cics ce ine nee MR 1S Lit 
Gouncil May Bes Called cence is «on cid rete in te eae 113 
Possible Findings of Church or Council .............. 113 
Guarding Accused’s Reputation ........... 114 
Restorations wr.se webs cosy eae aakater ate oe ay eaten SE LTS 
Ghurchecindépendences sar nek cc acee etc eee Leelee cee yaa 21 
Church: Membership hy kere Sec crce sd tine che ine Walcta a ie eae Lee 24 

Oualifications siors OSes ue cosine a eee aw ante Se ee eee 24 

IREGeneratrons gia Aekercrs eveberouelchelenstchel hater e\citerhe taboos al Pe ele terrae 24 

Pablic -Protession rot: Fathi ies .cics, close ae oa ene eee ok 

Baptism AS Ny ates Ue ticln oes he oe eee weet ae ae eae ee 26, 29, 48 

ifesainy Harmony — withe Christ's 2-s\.ccck tele Aelee cesar 27 

Ther eSab bathe aos sols hace orate d cess kc auch atc ceVebe wee nas ensue era Ree neta eee 28 

Mode? of2 Receptions seca Aan ae ousucce tere tataiete proce eee cai. cers enna 28 

Baptist Ata in coe sla! acal ecPaw eet et eee ae Ea a eee 29 
Letter are Rens leet ot dths) ol ake) eiehctettates seen tak oe enace te eee 30 
Letter; FormUotisi. ss cso teal wits sieuidemecnlaeteioer stokes elie 
By Experience eperint snore orn, Siete lokensh Duh eae resets ome vehePenet or hates sta enetone 32 
Right Hand of Fellowship and Laying on of Hands ...... 33 
Dismissal oe Gl tek He pleke coe ee ohe ls tala da sachs | dotace ei shove cael lei Ran re Riulere 33 
Bye) Letterict. Discs 20 at ce vase elle) ctacs ARIES eae eee Se 34 
[MormarOre Letter slate ot sewvOverana ie oleelore eid otere ie at eet Matenete ate sane 31 

PIGAUA St avstee lola resis erator eiterchetereie coemeiene BAe orem ia eat c 34 

EXconisnumicatlonuas krone eres SE OES I eis: he sees 34 

Dropping sof UN AMES! (lS eyraua dete ctalelgn pisand Sie aki aati ee Mt Jo 

Foems fon tA ction) (Pieces vas Gee acest Ne Dh ee A ey Pe pai 

Retnstatin gy c.ss sere ede teee owe eiaualel yshe cosh ae «1 ehevene en ea era eee Neiets puon ts 36 

Duties of-7IM embers wera oaos hese a aerate atoe erste ees kekeneete se ietieee 37 

Rightsvand: *Privileses: of “Members ty. susspe-cele sietaiel fete esas or eee a7, 
Gommunion® Servicesiin a0." cca cs beck Rue ba eR aes ees 43, 45, 56 

Emblems wii) AW eee ane icinlo aa etetets eter cnet Sealoeedetetebe crane 45 

Gommon cvs.) bndrvidial {Gi psiescsree ec eras oterclene eestor eae perenne cee 46 

Mariner ‘fot 7Servin & Oi Adaicias rc as pralain nthe’ head eRe ee ae 46 

How. /@ften> Gelebrated 22% vs. ees Nebel alee e otek o ehedb i ete chorale 47 
Gansregationol!(M anual 2 ok Sats Geld s aheln! Geelae bie 1p age eR eee 114 
Gongremationalists OX discus sce a nalecels ochowcetaee aide tcerecast te oka eaters nee a 
Constitution of Church (See Church, Constitution of) 

Coumeil, -TocOreanize ja Church io. sacle cis ob wie eter ataal tease eee eae 15 

PO Orda Fae Minister <tc cles 6c ietetolacntatere ete ce meetin sletatace ateye 98 

To Ordain a Deacon (See Deacon) 

Hors Church’ rDiscipline aie. %isse cascickels « agote.s axe ocak Phan een 113 
Covenants, Church?) Morinsi Off go ses cok ole ore riers (encase ae ete oD nee 39 
Courtesy. 46 “Pastor (yarn «c\e-0.8's, ve be ati: sei e-a oft, vets “Scat ear een 90 
Gushine'’s Mansal 2. Uhr aiud pcdeiti sie EE ose RA athe Mere mt 57 
WEA CODS ole eleshrerol'n to eter orca Acta he taid-c) cactone ere ieee 46, 48, 53, 81, 90 
Deacons; 4 Duties: “Of Fes cvcistote aore, oh cieln Pekotateteel ais eas ieee aan 90 
DJCACONESSESL. oh ok sia bo bs. eye dnp sue Roe We Oa sei pene aul ece iouatets cope TG ne acta 48, 53 
Dishanding «a CHGS ahd ale cts olete wiatnioa eters do Ric ee mente tai eae eats 18 

Disposal? of Property ia. cee a ws eye Sia orale oles nia e lone “atau aiy Meier one te cite 19 

Letters “to Members. 4! ante kistoateras eed trace © aco Cauenhs = Cine 19 

Disposal: ‘Ob RECOrES: F iefaes cote steiers ols eherg tas Babe tree moh altars ane 19 

Finale Acti On Pa yeu tiie aca of ofete’ alate Davee ehalese aceite terele att saahere eietnetn 20 
Daffield;(The,Burul "of "thet Degd Vo Re fa va ae enine Rie 51 
Hildeten” rit PA Wis he seine ee Bi ie os Sr bee ae eee wees eee Siete 53 
SENneyelopediay OM Ped wee’. ssid ta sue srelecona siausleke slates are sicee eens Seen 115 
Eeyangelists 10 ce sphere teeae oka ete ore are eR eae ti ete Rede 81 
Expose) of «Faith tip ins ot ore a acninte cle Wee eke aie rarah en eter re het ece et eantdene ee a 40 


(118) 


Battie ands OrdessuV ovement: +.VV OL1G Sits ccc e cistore terete gave slalerenctae > 44 
General Conterences, Action On Manual? wera cle scrkiele Uchewc dw wut 5 
PESMOSE MOU PPL Ait hues airtale a cle the wieveleiarale wth ele e, ie sletece ate of ster e ane sick 41 
eles t0Ti-t lemIV ELIT Oy oa toc tos 52ers Poet nisl SiaPabeiells adhe OENE ar oveione aie oe clare Seine 22 
Hallack, Gerard B. F., Wedding Manual, A Pastor’s fies dade 50 
EL ISCONS MET EL ATU te La isset te asheeeh isi stoma) eae ar oceren ate eel et th ataie cela aie Bia LALO 
Historical Societys e OC Vent No Dayae DADtisSt lcvtacce c+ kiss ecsiel obi. Sielele 20 
iettersto, Churches: toce Council, sHorm Vota’: . se wes ccs ee etel tele 15 
WELLCte Ors WISMISSaly ISOLA OLS a. © csiensie chats ele aeete ook cee otis hcl nin Slate abers 31 
AI CLM cel tore tet stererace state ona cle eheihor eo oho dee helo te Src erg AMO te se EN t5 
Nialtcious 2 elamatioteoi Character waclthishis ae tds @ etnsloma cients © 115 
Manual, Action of General Conference Concerning .........% 5 
DIAS UTS Chet iarees (ait teas te etal ate te ter ohana) ©, oi ss. orate arene AE Gee hoe ais aie 57, 114 
Goneresationaliwes tar, cis cur aiie Cee hae eee eee eee 114 
Paiaeenacnee nurch) oF. Londo: ck sede cd ore cele ote one 6, 47, 48 
GES LS Crore tite = CnUwCls ee oo che 5 Pe ea ee a eels a nratonia a aacalh, velehe 81 
Piwraree SST Stare seereeetteoe onthe ererk Gree ee ee ae le ee toe ieee 81 

I ASUOL Stee ce cutting aie ccc a erecta SotaMtares baie rend wee oO sncTehea ne etna ars 81 
PRR eRe Lae Cal fay hee Tae Paes ores Mesa Ti ott Od wip clea re tele oe neh 81 
iMibefe Cathie wD Bi giiea ales ll Bye A Penge NRE ty apt a AN GE GP BA eR AUR Pah as oe aa 82 
Prd Maa tenimor uNMAINIStETSAt la eee Sos oe wales KER Y oss ce eae eee eke 96 
MatmesSnaint clan portance,- Ob. ok teva sigh oo Ue wie caesar es 96 
Delieenation ys Without wonduer Easter dues ccs os sees eieteneae 96 
WV Ooh OU Gil sCRRC aU res ian ciate cpaaiure ace rie a oil ote thancke tated 97 
Ween cilpor .G DiunChesm ir mle OSSIDLG Inui ce siete ode elele Aakers basta 98 
PO GeduLe uN Te OTC il CIOL ae katte eae as ate ay ele ae wh a etal one Taree oes spire 99 
Niotemr ofa. Chiicchina esi mie sect srahorher ct siey aie toe tate, Sicrahee rak habiees 99 

EGTA OTE A CEION seh te rico et arer e Dae Soler ee kia Tare eal seb She Gee Sets 99 
PPUOMLMENY FHT S LICISRALES 0 oc olx diy cue oro vite one ie windoisied shad os 100 

Witton Galis® Comnciliston Order tema cmonic cece weis nee soles 101 

CAC trae (Gall eat ta Lat se tatest etal eset eit a, atta cr sista los ce de 101 
aerate Licleamateser at bec aware cee) asian oe pSatdricn eee sane OF 

Elections ots Moderator ands Clericieica o.t is cea iciie > ss tanexe 101 

PICASONEL OL LAV ET Wcraete clever eis Srp ee ice Bh eloote creer alt 101 
Moradiinatvioirs OF Ganaidates ce «oon cate cic ete were ee a 102 
nner Crmrinry! mitts § eae Acs S ith osc eit eater vida hacer ek 102 

[Breve Ptw Wey OP tok tes lee tg Si we NN hod Aner AF ora tn See TE Ae MER A a 103 
NMnomCondiets (Ordination service u.)se sielere ole steieie sister els 103 

OTM Sreset EG KET CISES atal shacae ts Sueiet ata > pram meet eiane tore: s 103 

ihecoras and CertiticateyoL Ordination | is cio. ecs seas eciere 104 
ormmnote, GeriatiCates bsisrsuere ob aye battles tie onencCeh sie Oe ae are 104 

Recognition by General Conference. .:...0. .cccccsscecsvce 104 
een eer paa NS GC UITEYCEE Po as cre .c' sd aka S28 yale 'e cies ieee «bree ere bh orcin elle teas 11 
IPrelimiimaty er Vi Cetingl nila cre cca ttale sale oteit tials a dterePe eialate catemeiale = 11 
areti ls GONSIUETALLOM ta. cic sha te eiereetaiore cielo otelel ate iL 
Possible Decisions §.......2.0.0:- Rote alansh absvomt ate a orien athe 12 
Reoeedirer Withoute a wCOUnCiin.d » aise chess o ata sles lteleine gieteis eaters 12 
Mrrantzationiy a VLcetin ge mes eto oles eters ers) ete over ahoiere Missive ae She 13 

BRAN Chi CoH UnChiaeverc er ctrslany ect isinan siege als Cori ete s wa reter eens 14 
EZOCeaurers With ae COUNCIL pclae clselsis eslele.e sort ohtire ole etete cere te 15 
Barts OLarl hi ta tiOniee oe.) haa aiete e aiaeieiate sto tees nt aisrap.ceeee eke 15 
Officets Mand “Committees sits cisieres «icterttes ci, Selstancis oe erator 14, 15 

Record of Proceedings ......e.sssseeeeeerseseones spud 16 
Membership in Association and General Conference ........ iv 
PASUOE ee fete orp esr Ses Ai eevee ia.» > eA RAs ela sine eens Dida seine 53, 81 
Work Offic soi tats esis Sear ole aha eiere are ocrat eter es Se once eta Caliototeeianst otate 89 
ECHITEES Von LO re tatcicecis clave inloys stetolcce o'e oefaie save ele erateleisiofeieuate Mesias 90 
RELCCOStia ters wate siete « as be oieone at ttetaia siete ALO cle sino eata lee ae 25 
PIAETS Ae MS WISWeA ce Pav esators isisiet ons SS Levarererets Evehe sents 8 Ais 82 


Presbyterians, Discipline of eeeoeveesreeoereeaeoeeeeeoeevneereeeeeeeee eee 110 
(119) 


Recognition of Ministers by General Conference .............. 104 
Recognition of Ministers from Other Denominations ........... 105 
Procedure nny c Aes cobs ssces sa eae eens ne ee eee ae eee 105 
Become a Member of One of Our ‘Churches ........5... =. 105 
Gowen Called tu faa I On wake cbs euaeeee ateiah + Sycuneee s Rnerae 105 
Ordination“ Exencises, SNoty INecéssaryic. sc sca cuneiene aust ouelmietat 106 
RESEn eration 4 Was ks Mielalanaiey Melelid ote wets alate tak ere eleia shisgte onde er ckiteepaearen 24 
Religious: Liberty; and Democracyis «4. Gis pure nn)sicisl ls od wie eae 7 
Robert's @ules foha Or dere wacarter oh sae este facies er hee enela tee bi 
Rules vitor Pransactiony of sB Usinessmi satay rack viei cles eaertcttpere stenetearate 57 
Gode sof: Rules WNeeded. Wachee ae aus ithaca ae eee cect eens 57 
Church MayeMakeitsl Own Codes iit mania usre anes sali tens ne SS 
Rules Should not be Unreasonably Pressed ..........-++s 58 
Purpose: JOf Rulesr iiss chee havc caste are ere hs ete elegeoheeeear ep nani 59 
Organizine’ a Leeting eves se cclate sa cite esebeea cre rahe ier ee eee 59 
Ae! 2 Voted sia rete wee se hares saad ah ve dap cg fe tauo Salo ecetees lelle ace er ie wena 60 
C)epor te sco AG stake Wisi coe tan sheesh dae alee arene eres a tate 63 
(DATICERS Cauley dh vceter'e be drae iat ienctores tacuezel's seve eae Laos eek eines stn i eae 64 
Moderator Wi raiciture Steves sinus oraledelerahdoalaca telat ceabetare eee tera 64 

Cle rete i Aiko op ee calle) sole ee seees SPOLOTS Bere alas over Oke eet on eae ae ee 64 
Members; pRights and, Dutiestin, Meetingey see ects cae ete cere 65 
Orde: Offi Busimess wig dfn, as oh otayarere ere ag aad onal chel eel diate tenet eae 66 
Introd action of Bustiesss ti. seins alducortcle ctor late taleleien Feet 66 
Disposale of@ Question ages sae savers, sis aler seaee dae ele ona tae ed teenie 67 
WES 101 oO USSTION Getel ons oie Malahaict oveteber cle tece evetlitOteee re talent te 68 
Subsidiary, /Ouestions isc. S «diate arava alae eee nee eee 68 
Question ‘ot: -Gonsiderationg “) i.) 's<s @stae na Se 68 

A Wore Wr yikes alead Beco) Kowtate SERA DAR No GO Shi Cody. % 69 

Postpone ‘te. Day > Certaine es 62 allo ae wearers 69 

Indeinite’ Postponement: yaa > vaste ok ei ortet eae 70 

Mottont-\toc f Committe js: ostatoe. crcieusce ue) sean siento crater rate 79 
To *Amend owe ead ote ee ae ne eee R Ja: 

Fort: ihe Previotis; (Question: 7% sie aye siete talecsaree 72 

To eSUbSTtUte hassel h ocean cee bierdiet eae ee 74 

Privileged’: © 11S toms! ecy aks ota afer tetas ccccha alee ice nena eee 74 
Adyourdlin en thee Poe eins ele cS Onis ere Cte eee ee 74 

To clakes RECESS ars tapers toes: eros toedat et hee ence ee ths 

Question Involving Rights of Members of House.. 76 

Incidental. © westiomsi tyiics ore/ecie g's dlotsteresee sierece ear Se ee 77 
Question of Order dcag.uy sas a% ales oe. dhol oie Rae a 77 
Reading bot: Papersi eras .aes daa es cos etaie Meee eee 77 
Withdrawal “ot WM otion's 24h we.clccre' sa eitiestea eee 78 
Suppression) *ofta Rule inks Wtcs se oss eee bloreiener eee een 78 
Reeonsideratton’ Gs Fane a2 Si, cass eiwlnas a cuaereine eee 78 

Motiort: £6. 7 Resertid uy. 7 eee iietevete avs ace yeole © sapere iseate enh enters 79 

Othérs NEOtions G17. scttene ere recieie ce ene ohernera ee eae sealed 79 

ab bath Pais s.. dace << eten eye eb etAln'n al et ea one Saba a9 een aaa ana en 28 
Sabbath School; Board \\teiietes cine so aly pitts wiaeidiets © migikine te eae 22 
StS Baily crerbschel id iho Bia wlle’al sever a, jetahorehatele lobole hee aektete Creme Osa clay siete aenane meme 24 
Satterlee, -Hider= Wialltami a c< ciicts/e actin tel eee Meee Boe ee ee ieee ...48, 84 
Seventh: Day. Baptist. Educational, Society > ...w.0 awa ks ceviee een 22 
Seventh “Day Baptist « Historical ‘Society® <.1.% seis see eee 20 
Seventh» Day, Baptist “Missionary “SoGiety/+. «.s.s asa cece een 22 
Soares, ‘Theodore :G.. Baptist Manual. 30. .d<2 aan cae eee 57, 114 
Solemnization. of! Matrimony Wice coc cus cteis oierdel ere Gears taeha cetera eee 50 
Wedding Manual—A Pastor's Handbook ..,..cccecccceceeees : 50 
IWonlan Soi BOatd stadt aatee rc cic cab ana Shaler of ater os eis'tone gies sinteiatae 22 
World’s Faith and Order Movement ........... Ar ass 44 
Sw early Wieeting ras oncddeee sees «ieee Ago Re Hii icana eae eae 22 


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logic 


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amen 
Jw Ase Ent eee le 


Lem ne ee smb Me Akh De Pe inetd Puce 2 


Boek Sey Panic oe 


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starter tae 
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Sienbwintaenne’ rt Server) 
- fet | Spee SEE Agen eyes 
Pak 


Sseeenye weet er 


—aan Soe 
ee errs 3 P ; 
Shs hate pid me on 


pheagte teense ae : 
Faas. seer 

a diastornes sera se 

Pereeere te ate 
bee prone. 





